The police chief found the conditions less than acceptable and put this man on paid leave. As reported, live dogs were in cages with dead dogs, and “A source tells our partners in News at 21Alive, that the probe found dogs had been starved, deprived of water, and living in their own filth. The tip also claimed some of the animals were dead and had not been removed.”

One claim was that a family pet was killed less than 24 hours in the shelter, devastating the family who went to retrieve their pet. Other claims were that the dogs went without water in extreme heat.

Reported by:Jennifer L. Dodds​

Yesterday at 10:13pm Peaceful Protest To Prosecute Van Wert County Dog Warden Rich Strunkenberg to the fullest extent of the law and remove him from his position. Saturday July 26th Van Wert County Humane Society in van wert, Ohio 309 Bonnewitz Ave, Van Wert, OH 45891 Time: 12:00 PM If you need a ride let Debbie Helser or myself know. We need to take a stand Ohio and tell them we have had enough.. The Dog Warden Rich Strunkenberg was responsible for the care of the animals in the humane society. An investigation was conducted and animals were found to have starved to death, others were living among the dead, they were living in filth and without food and water. Currently many of the surviving animals are receiving veterinary care. He is currently on PAID leave. We want him fired, we want him prosecuted and we want him removed from his position. There is no excuse for these animals dying a horrific death. There is no excuse for them living in this filth. There is no excuse at all especially since he and his family LIVE ON THE PREMISES and we want them evicted. Many animals have never made it out of this shelter for years. Food has been donated for years and there was no shortage of food or finances. Therefore, the only reason these animals suffered so greatly and died horrible deaths was because Dog Warden Rich Strunkenberg did not care about them at all. Nobody was ever permitted inside this humane society. No volunteers were allowed in. Any animals that were adopted out were done so only because of a group of ladies who fought to save them and they were instructed to pick the animals up in outside kennels. It has been said for years that this warden has tipped off many people who had complaints filed against them for animal abuse and neglect and now we know why. He himself did not care about these animals. Come on OHIO let’s show them we will not tolerate Animal abuse and neglect. Nitro's Law was signed into law on June 30, 2013! Nitro’s Law covers more than just boarding kennels. The bill would protect animals wherever a kennel license is in effect with the exception of large breeding facility (puppy mill). That means any facility that holds a COMMERCIAL kennel license, whether it be a boarding, training, breeder, rescue facility. And for them abuse / Neglect is a FELONY in the state of Ohio.

  We the nation of AMERICA want to see this handled properly to where Mr Rich Struckenburg be giving the storngest sentence for animal abuse. We the nation are the voices for the animals and we will help see to it he has a strong conviction. One lives by their actions and chioces they make, now it is time for you Mayor Don Farmer to make she the right action and choice is made for this man that killed many lives.   NOTE:  Do the animals deceased have proper burial or improper burial? Improper burial carries a felony charge also. We the nation hope to see where these animal have been put to rest and see proper burial for the furkids. 

Mayor Don Farmer : 419-238-0308   email : dfarmer@vanwert.org

 Prosceutor : 101 E Main St Van Wert, Oh 45891   419238-0272

Commissioners: 

Stan D. Owens, Todd D. Wolfrum & Thad Lichtensteiger

114 E. Main St. Ste. 200

Van Wert. Ohio 45891

419-238-6159

(website where information on the commissioners can be found: http://vanwertcounty.org/county-commissioners/)