Ohio
Northeast Ohio shelter takes in 7 neglected dogs abandoned within in 3 days

WARREN, Ohio (WOIO) – The Healthy Hearts and Paws Project is desperate for help after taking in five malnourished puppies and two dogs with untreated tumors within three days – all neglected and abandoned.
Founder Jason Cooke stated funds are already depleted with 127 animals in their care, on top of the veterinary bills, operating costs, and the construction costs of the new shelter.
Scroll to the bottom of this story to see a list of resources that can help those struggling to care for a pet, and how you can help those in need.
Cooke said the Warren City Health Department called him on May 7 about a dog who was allegedly abandoned at a Palmyra home in Warren.
The dog was spotted through an open window “extremely underweight” with a “had a large, oozing mass on her side with insect activity,” Cooke described.
There was also no food or water in sight, according to Cooke.
Warren City police and Warren City Animal Control helped remove the dog from the residence “which was in deplorable condition,” said Cooke.
Warren police said no arrest has been made at this time.
Cooke said the dog, who rescuers named Beatrice, was immediately brought to Countryside Veterinary Service in Kinsman.
Beatrice was described by Cooke as malnourished and anemic, and suffering from the “extremely large mass on her side that was left untreated and has since become infected.”
Veterinarians had her undergo chest x-rays, blood work tests, take fluids, antibiotics, and pain medications to treat her in an attempt to build up strength and get the infection “under control,” according to Cooke.
Unfortunately, vets saw Beatrice’s health was even worse than they hoped once she underwent surgery, and she crossed the Rainbow Bridge.
Cooke shared the following explanation:
“Beatrice had a very proportionally large mass on her side, at the junction of the chest and abdomen. The mass was extremely painful and infected, even after a course of antibiotics. In an attempt to remove it surgically, it was found that the mass extended all the way through the body wall. This made the option of surgical excision impossible, so it was decided to euthanize her.”
WARNING: The photos of Beatrice’s neglect may be disturbing.
Within hours of first finding Beatrice, Cooke said he was notified that five malnourished puppies were found abandoned in a box in front of a vacant home on Tod Avenue in Warren.
He arrived to find all five puppies were also dehydrated and covered in their own urine and feces.
Cooke said he called police and rushed the puppies to Countryside Veterinary Service in Kinsman to save their lives.
Sadly, the puppy they named Rocky did not survive despite his valiant fight, and crossed the Rainbow Bridge on May 9.
The other four were brought back to the shelter, and three are still up for adoption: Liberty, Skye, and Zuma.
Three days after finding Beatrice and the five puppies, Cooke said a “severely neglected dog” was again found on Tod Avenue in Warren on May 10.
Cooke said she too was immediately rushed to Countryside Veterinary Service in Kinsman where “it was determined that she is extremely malnourished; matted beyond belief; and has a large, painful mass on her mouth that is also infected…”
She was named Emerson, given pain medication and antibiotics, and was groomed by Dog House.
Emerson is scheduled to have surgery to remove a mass on her mouth as soon as next week, depending on how she recovers, Cooke shared.
She is currently in the care of a medical foster, however, she is still available for adoption.
Cooke said the veterinary care the dogs and cats of the Healthy Hearts and Paws Project received last week alone totaled $3,055.
This included exams, testing, medication, antibiotics, spays, neuters, and vaccinations, Cooke listed.
The project typically rescues dogs who test positive for heartworms because the cost of treatment is unfortunately expensive, which is why heartworm-positive dogs are more likely to be euthanized.
“Our mission is to promote animal welfare through education and by providing care and temporary placement for heartworm positive and emergency medical-needs dogs to give each dog a second chance at a positive outcome,” founder Jason Cooke stated.
Once the heartworm-positive dogs are successfully treated and cured, they are put up for adoption.
If you want to open your hearts to the joy of adoption by giving the gift of a “fur-ever” home, here is the link for dogs waiting for you at the shelter.
Click here to view adoptable dogs.
One of which is Nitro, who has spent over 2,000 days – most of his five years of life – without a permanent home to call his own.
[Adopt Nitro: Northeast Ohio dog spends 2,000+ days waiting in shelter ]
If you would like to adopt Emerson, Liberty, Skye, Zuma, Nitro, or any other four-legged best friend, click here to fill out an application.
Even if you aren’t able to adopt at this time, but still have some room in your home and heart, you can click here to learn about fostering.
You can help save a life even if you can’t make make a lifelong commitment.
For those who are unable to adopt or foster at this time but still want to help, you can donate necessities for the shelter and presents for the animals there.
Click here to donate.
If you are unable to donate money or items, consider donating your time by volunteering at The Healthy Hearts and Paws Project.
Click here to learn how to become a volunteer.
The Healthy Hearts and Paws Project is located at 909 Martin Luther King Blvd. SW in Warren.
Call 234-855-5847 with questions.
City Dogs Cleveland listed the below information on pet pantries and programs that may provide free and low-cost pet care in Northeast Ohio.
“There is absolutely no shame in reaching out during times of hardship,” City Dogs encouraged.
- Services: Pet food pantry, low-cost pet supplies, low-cost vaccinations and vetting, microchips, and more.
- Address: 3711 E 65th St., Cleveland, OH 44105
- Phone number: 216-505-5853
- Website: https://www.neighborhoodpetscle.org/
- Email address: info@neighborhoodpetscle.org
- Services: Pet food pantry, pet supplies, help with vet costs
- Address: 5376 Ridge Rd., Parma, OH 44129
- Phone number: 216-307-7814
- Website: www.companionpetsofcleveland.com
- Email address: CompanionPetsOfCleveland@gmail.com
- Services: Low-cost vet services with financial assistance available
- Address: 1729 Willey Ave., Cleveland, OH 44113
- Phone number: 216-771-4616
- Website: https://clevelandapl.org/community-pet-clinic/
- Email address: contact@clevelandapl.org
- Services: Pet food pantry open from 10am-12pm on the second and fourth Sundays of the month
- Address: 10015 East River Rd., Columbiana Township, OH 44028
- Phone number: 440-243-2034
- Website: https://www.bereaanimalrescue.com/pet-pantry/
- Services: Pet food pantry for residents of Cuyahoga County. Please see the website for the client application for a monthly food pick-up.
- Address: 9500 Sweet Valley Dr., Valley View, OH 44125
- Phone number: 216-706-9363
- Website: https://fccas.org/what-we-do/pet-pantry-program/
- Email Address: pantry@fccas.org
- Services: Low-cost spay and neuter services. Spaying or neutering your pet is a critical way to help curb the animal shelter overpopulation crisis!
- Address: 885 E. 222nd St., Euclid, OH 44123
- Phone: 216-732-7040
- Website: https://www.petfixnortheastohio.org/
- Email: appointments@petfixnortheastohio.org
Copyright 2024 WOIO. All rights reserved.

Ohio
Ohio State’s defense is already elite, but these two players could make it even better

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State’s defense has been nothing short of dominant this season, but what’s scary for future opponents is that it might be on the verge of getting even better.
The latest episode of Buckeye Talk revealed two fascinating developments that could transform an already-elite unit into something truly unstoppable.
The first involves what Stephen Means described as “the ultimate good problem” at the nickel position. While Lorenzo Styles has been solid, Jermaine Mathews has shown flashes of being an elite playmaker who can dramatically change games with his ability to create turnovers.
“This is, I think, the ultimate good problem that a defense could have — where the guy who’s doing a job isn’t doing it poorly, but there just might be a guy who is elite, elite, elite at it,” Means said.
The option between Styles and Mathews represents the luxury Ohio State now has – two excellent players for one position, with Mathews offering a specific skill set that addresses one of the few areas where the defense could improve: creating more takeaways.
Co-host Stefan Krajisnik emphasized Mathews’ impact:
“I just think he’s such a difference-maker for you that if that’s the one thing you feel like this defense is lacking… I would continue to give Jermaine Mathews some snaps there in the slot.”
But perhaps the most intriguing revelation came from defensive end Kenyatta Jackson, who approached defensive coordinator Matt Patricia about being allowed more freedom as a pass rusher.
Jackson, who has been disciplined in his containment responsibilities against mobile quarterbacks, wanted permission to use his full arsenal of pass-rush moves.
Means highlighted the significance of this conversation:
“I also love the fact that he said that Matt Patricia’s response was like, ‘Yeah, just don’t go past quarterback… You can do whatever you want as long as you don’t put us at a disadvantage.”
This context explains why Jackson hasn’t been as statistically productive as many expected. Against more traditional pocket passers, Jackson could now be unleashed, complementing Caden Curry (who’s putting up numbers comparable to Chase Young’s Heisman campaign start) and creating a truly terrifying pass rush.
What we witnessed against Wisconsin – where Jackson registered three pressures and a sack after this conversation with Patricia – might just be the beginning. Ohio State’s defense is already allowing a minuscule 5.9 points per game, but these adjustments suggest the best is yet to come.
Here’s the podcast for this week:
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Ohio
What’s Up With That? Why isn’t trick or treating always on Halloween?

Halloween safety tips for fun and safe trick-or-treating
Safety is key to enjoying Halloween festivities. The FDA and CDC offer these tips for costumes, candy and trick-or-treating to keep you safe this year.
Why do central Ohio communities trick or treat on nights other than Halloween?
This week’s What’s Up With That? is a personal one, as it’s a query I’ve had since I moved to Columbus nearly seven years ago. What’s the origin of central Ohio’s complex (to outsiders) tradition of holding trick or treating (or Beggars Night, as some call it) on nights other than Oct. 31?
It is a question that has been asked and answered by The Columbus Dispatch before. But to save you a journey through our archives, I’ll recap the history here.
Why does central Ohio schedule trick-or-treating on nights other than Halloween?
Up until 2005, when the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission adopted the current system for recommending when communities should hold trick-or-treating, Columbus hadn’t held the event on Halloween itself in 90 years, according to past Dispatch reporting.
Columbus historically held a raucous Downtown Halloween party on Oct. 31, according to our archives, prompting the preference for Oct. 30 as the day kids could collect candy. That party was discontinued in the 1950s over too much revelry, but Oct. 30 trick-or-treating persisted.
MORPC took on its role as trick-or-treat scheduler in 1993 and adopted the current system it uses to choose the date in 2005. MORPC’s recommendation is just that; communities are still free to set their own trick-or-treating days and times.
When is central Ohio trick-or-treating in 2025?
Here’s MORPC’s system: When Halloween falls on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, trick or treat typically takes place the Thursday before Oct. 31 in central Ohio. When Halloween falls on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, expect costumed kids on the day itself.
In 2015, a MORPC spokesman told the Dispatch the system was meant to increase convenience for families. Friday or Saturday night trick or treating could conflict with football (as could Sunday, for that matter, although in central Ohio it’s largely the first two putting a dent in people’s calendars).
Since Halloween falls on a Friday this year, the recommended trick-or-treat date is Oct. 30, and cities and towns have official candy-calling hours of 6-8 p.m.
But there are exceptions. Here’s a look at which Franklin County communities are going their own way:
- Bexley: 5:30 to 7 p.m. Oct. 30
- Grandview Heights: 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31
- Groveport: 5:30 to 7 p.m. Oct. 30
- Madison Township: 5:30 to 7 p.m. Oct. 30
- Worthington: 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31
You can see other communities’ hours in this list we published in early October.
Have a question about Columbus? I’ll find your answer
What other weird central Ohio traditions would you like to have explained? I’m happy to track down the information. Or just curious what that development is, or why the traffic pattern you hate is the way it is?
Email ekennedy@dispatch.com and I will see what I can do.
Eleanor Kennedy is the senior digital director of the Columbus Dispatch. She can breached at ekennedy@dispatch.com.
Ohio
Where is Ohio State football ranked in major polls after Week 8?
Ohio State showed no sign of loosening its grip on the No. 1 ranking this weekend.
The Buckeyes routed Wisconsin in a 34-0 win that marked the third time in four weeks that they prevailed on the road in the Big Ten to preserve their unblemished record.
At 7-0, they are one of only six unbeaten teams left in the Football Bowl Subdivision.
Below is their ranking in the major polls after Week 8:
Ohio State football rankings after Week 8
US LBM Coaches Poll
The Buckeyes are the consensus No. 1 among the coaches, receiving all 65 first-place votes following Miami’s loss to Louisville on Oct. 17.
The Hurricanes, who were previously unbeaten, had two first-place votes last week prior to the upset.
The rest of the top-five includes Indiana at No. 2, Texas A&M at No. 3, Alabama at No. 4 and Georgia at No. 5.
AP Top 25
Ohio State received 60 out of the 66 first-place votes in the AP poll with second-ranked Indiana getting the remaining six.
Joey Kaufman covers Ohio State football for The Columbus Dispatch. Email him at jkaufman@dispatch.com and follow along on Bluesky, Instagram and X for more.
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