Trial date set for Middletown woman with decapitated dog in backyard

A trial date has been set for a Middletown woman charged with felony animal cruelty after several dead animals were found in the backyard of her home.

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In February, four dead dogs, including one with a decapitated head, were found in the backyard of Tina Marie Jackson’s home, according to the Butler County Sheriff’s Office.

Butler County Common Pleas Judge Greg Stephens set Jackson’s trial for Sept. 18.

She has pleaded not guilty to three counts of fifth-degree felony animal cruelty and three misdemeanor charges of the same crime.

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Humane officers found four dead dogs on the Oxford State Road property Feb. 16.

Two of the dogs were found in dog houses, another one was found in a black plastic tote along with a decapitated dog’s head, according to the sheriff’s office.

Necropsies, which are autopsies performed on animals, were conducted on all four dogs. Three dogs were found to have no food in their stomachs, and the cause of death was ruled starvation.

No cause of death was determined for the dog with the severed head due to lack of evidence, officials said.

Jackson said she ran out of dog food and she never provided bedding in the dog houses to keep the dogs warm. She did not offer an explanation for the decapitated dog.

Jackson, 39, is free on $5,000 bond.

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