A brutal attack that wiped out an entire group of beloved farm animals used to teach local children ended with a punishment many in the community say doesn’t come close to fitting the crime.
The owner of two dogs blamed for the slaughter was ordered to pay just a $25 fine.
Court records show Laura Flanagan of Preston Avenue was charged with failure to confine dogs after the animals escaped and attacked livestock belonging to the nonprofit Watch Me Grow Ohio.
The total penalty?
$25 fine and $130 in court costs — $155 altogether.
Flanagan initially attempted to pay the ticket online and skip court, but Portsmouth Municipal Court Judge Russell Kegley ordered her to appear in person.
She ultimately paid the $155.
A Devastating Attack
The attack happened in late February, when the dogs made their way from their neighborhood to Shela Boulevard, where Watch Me Grow Ohio founder Drew Carter keeps livestock used in youth education programs.
Carter described the scene in a heartbreaking Facebook post after returning home.
“I came home to find that neighbors’ dogs had slaughtered all of our livestock — my miniature donkey, sheep, goat, and 20 chickens. They also destroyed our coops and damaged other property.”
Among the animals killed was Jack the miniature donkey, a favorite among the children involved in the program.
“We used these animals to educate local youth, and my son and the youth participants love them. My donkey Jack was my boy. I’m devastated and furious.”
Carter later asked the community for help locating a backhoe to bury the animals.
A History of Problems
This wasn’t the first time the dogs’ owners faced charges.
In May 2024, Kelley Flanagan, Laura Flanagan’s husband, was also charged with failure to confine dogs.
He received the exact same penalty:
- $25 fine
- $130 court costs
Again totaling $155.
Neighbors say the dogs have a history of getting loose and causing problems in the area.
Impact on a Youth Program
The losses were devastating for Watch Me Grow Ohio, a nonprofit founded in 2018 that uses agriculture and animal care to teach young people life skills.
The organization has worked with more than 200 youth across Southern Ohio, including many at-risk children.
Their programs include:
- Sustainable gardening
- Livestock care
- Food preservation and cooking
- Farmers market programs
- Foraging and edible plant education
Participants raise animals and crops while learning responsibility and entrepreneurship.
After the attack wiped out the program’s livestock, the group launched a GoFundMe campaign to replace animals and repair damaged fencing.
The nonprofit said the animals were not just educational tools — they were part of the children’s daily lives and emotional development.
Why Avery’s Law Could Change Cases Like This
Cases like this are exactly the kind lawmakers say Ohio’s new Avery’s Law was designed to address.
Under the current law, failure to confine a dog is often treated as a minor misdemeanor, carrying small fines like the one issued in this case.
But Avery’s Law will significantly increase consequences when dogs attack or repeatedly escape.
Under the new law:
- Repeat dangerous dog incidents can lead to criminal charges
- Owners can face stronger penalties when dogs attack animals or people
- Authorities will have greater power to seize dangerous dogs
- Courts can restrict or prohibit dog ownership in serious cases
Supporters say the goal is to prevent situations where dangerous dogs repeatedly get loose before serious action is taken.
A Question That’s Stirring Debate
For many in the community, one number keeps coming up:
$25.
That’s the fine for an incident that killed a miniature donkey, goats, sheep, and roughly 20 chickens — animals that were part of a program helping teach children about farming, responsibility, and food production.
With Avery’s Law about to change Ohio’s dangerous dog laws, cases like this may soon be handled very differently.
