Dog’s death cues algae-toxin tests

A Cleveland-area lab told Metro Parks officials yesterday that it detected toxins produced by algae in a Three Creeks Metro Park pond where a dog drank water and later died…

..Blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, are common in Ohio lakes and streams but grow thick in water after feeding on phosphorus from manure, fertilizer and sewage that wash into waterways. The algae can excrete liver and nerve toxins that can sicken people and kill pets, fish and wildlife.

A preliminary Ohio Department of Agriculture report concluded that the dog died of severe anemia attributed to internal blood loss consistent with a bleeding disorder. The report said algae blooms can produce toxins causing liver damage that affects blood clotting, but rat poison can also affect it…

…Metro Parks also will test water samples from lakes at Prairie Oaks and Battelle Darby Creek metro parks, Deputy Director Larry Peck said. Dogs swim in those lakes.

Peck said he didn’t know the concentrations of toxins found in the Heron Pond water but that they were at potentially lethal levels.

The fatality was the first reported pet death in Ohio this year that might be associated with a toxic-algae bloom…more

Woman Who Let Dog Freeze to Death Must Serve at Shelter

Gregory Willey with the Friendship Animal Protective League said the death of the shih-tzu was cruel and inhumane.

"The dog couldn't move any more and finally froze to death. That's a long process and that is a lot of agony and suffering and pain."…

… As a condition of Hayslett's probation, she must also perform 100 hours of community service, including an unspecified amount of time at a local animal shelter.

But Willey said she would not be welcome at the Friendship APL…see video

Teen handcuffed Sam Mazzola to waterbed, sheriff’s officials say

A 17-year-old boy chained and handcuffed Sam Mazzola to the waterbed where the same teen found Mazzola dead on Sunday morning, Lorain County sheriff’s Sgt. Donald Barker said Thursday…more

Owner of Ohio bear that killed caretaker dies during sexual role-playing

Sam Mazzola, 49, was found last week face down on his water bed, wearing a mask and with his arms and legs restrained, said Dr. Frank P. Miller III, a pathologist at the Lorain County coroner's office...more

Authorities want to know who was at Sam Mazzola's home in the hours before he died

Lorain County Sheriff's deputies are still trying to determine who was at Sam Mazzola's North Marks Road compound in the hours before and after he died...more

Exotic animal owner Sam Mazzola died bound in his home during an apparent sex act gone wrong, coroner says

Exotic-animal owner Sam Mazzola was found dead in his Columbia Station home Sunday, "bound to the bed with handcuffs, chains and padlocks," said Lorain County Deputy Coroner Frank Miller...more

Sam Mazzola was found handcuffed to bed, coroner says

Controversial exotic animal owner Sam Mazzola, who was found dead Sunday at his North Marks Road compound, died of asphyxia due to an airway obstruction, Deputy Lorain County Coroner Frank Miller said Monday...more