Sign: Man Used A Machete To Carve A Word In Dog’s Head

Published: June 23, 2023 at 04:45 PM Author: PENNY EIMS

Toledo, OH – A Toledo man is facing a felony animal cruelty charge for allegedly using a machete to carve a word into a dog’s head. Earlier this month, Toledo Police responded to 20-year-old Harley Gear’s home in the 3000 block of Nebraska Avenue and they found a dog with severe head injuries and a bloodied machete.

According to the person who alerted the police, Gear had been “torturing” his dog, Zeus.

Zeus is currently in the custody of the Toledo Humane Society. The agency’s president, Stephen Heaven, tells ABC 13 News that this case is a “first” for him and he suspects that Gear “tried carving the word “hi” into the dog’s head among other things.”

Zeus’ injuries were so significant that staples were required to pull his scalp back together. 

Gear is facing a felony charge – specifically, “CRUELTY TO ANIMALS TORTURE, DEPRIVE, BEAT, MUTILATE, KILL, OR CONIFNE WITHOUT FOOD OR WATER.” He has pleaded not guilty to the charge and is already free on bond.

Harley Case Doc

Please add your name to the petition today if you do not want to see Gear receive a slap on the wrist for what he did to this dog!

We the undersigned demand that Harley Gear is held responsible for viciously attacking a dog named Zeus with a machete. We are petitioning for Gear to receive the maximum punishment allowable by law for the felony animal cruelty charge stemming from this despicable attack. At sentencing, we want to see Gear prohibited from owning or residing with animals.

Individuals are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law. Animal Victory relies upon the authorities and the court system to determine guilt or innocence.

News

WTOL News

ABC 13 News

KOLD News

Update 12/07/2023: VICTORY! Thank you to everyone who signed the petition! On December 1, abuser Harley Gear was found guilty of a 5th-degree felony and was sentenced to one year of jail time, and he will serve the entire year. Gear will also follow up with three years of probation. Additionally, while there were specific mandated requirements set by Judge Michael Goulding, Gear’s probation officer may specify other mandated requirements such as being prohibited from owning any animal for his lifetime. And, also prohibited from owning a machete. 

Details from the sentencing documents:

Three years of community control to be monitored by the Lucas County Adult Probation Department specifically to include: 1) Pursuant to R.C. 2901.07, defendant
ordered to submit to DNA testing 2) Defendant must abide
by the laws of this state and this nation and may not
leave the State of Ohio without permission of this Court
and/or his/her supervising probation officer; 3)
Defendant not to ship, use, receive, purchase, own,
transport or otherwise possess a firearm or ammunition;
4) Defendant committed to the Corrections Center of
Northwest Ohio Prison Diversion Program for a period of 1
year with no violations.

Update 9/7/2023: The trial for Harley Gear is set for 10/02/2023 with Judge Michael Goulding.

https://lcapps.co.lucas.oh.us/onlinedockets/Docket.aspx?STYPE=1&PAR=CR0202301923-000&STARTDATE=08/01…

Update 7/28/2023: Animal Victory has learned that the pre-trial is set for 8/2/2023 at 1:00 pm with Judge Michael Goulding in courtroom 004.

Update 7/5/2023: Animal Victory has learned that the case was moved up to grand jury after indictment, and a hearing arraignment is scheduled for 7/12/23 at 1 pm.

Update 6/26/2023: 14,741 signatures have been sent along with the petition to Ohio  Prosecutor Julia R. Bates

Prior Signatures 15,959