A local group has recently formed and is holding a fundraiser this weekend after learning that Butler County is lacking what they believe is an important protection for animals.
OVADA stands for One Voice for the Abused Domestic Animals and was founded in April.
The group is holding their first annual ‘Bark in the Park’ dog walk at the Odd Fellows Gazebo in Butler Township’s Alameda Park on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“We discovered that Butler County does not have a Humane Police Officer, which handles cruelty and neglect in animals. We are raising money to be able to afford one,” Vice President of OVADA Cindy Dimmick told our newsroom.
Those attending can walk their dogs in the park while enjoying music, bidding on basket auction items and visiting a variety of vendors.
According to OVADA, Butler is one of only five counties in the state that does not have a humane police officer.
Dimmick also noted that a humane officer is different than a ‘dog catcher.’
“People will say, ‘oh, we already have a humane officer’ and we don’t. They’re thinking of the old-fashioned dog catcher, which is known as a dog officer. Humane officers basically protect dogs from humans to make sure they’re kept safely, they’re not being abused, they’re not being beaten, they’re not tied to a leash all day in the hot sun, they’re not starving,” Dimmick said.
Written By: Ryan Saeler for the Butler Radio Network
