Sammie's Story: A Fight Against Breeding Abuse
3,832 views · Published 14 February 2014 · 2:38 · Indexed 3 October 2026
Channel: Dayton 24/7 Now · 2014 · News & Politics
DAYTON-- Ohio lawmakers are considering legislation that would make the most serious cases of animal abuse a felony. A Kettering woman would like to see the new law include excessive breeding as a type of abuse. It's called Backyard Breeding, and it can cause animals to suffer from serious medical problems, even death. Elizabeth Nyberg, a Kettering woman who helps find foster homes for dogs, is helping people meet Sammie. The 5 year old mixed breed was used over and over again for breeding, the abandoned. Nyberg rescued Sammie wandering around in the Trotwood area. Sammie had emergency surgery February 11th because of health issues due to over breeding. She didn't survive the surgery. She still had that spark in her. We didn't expect her not to come home, Nyberg said, reflecting about Sammie's life. She helped raise money for Sammie's surgery and cared for her in her final days. Sammie was diagnosed with severe mastitis, a life threatening condition that gave her tumors. Mastitis is an inflammation of the mammary gland which can happen in over engorged nursing moms, Dr. Kelly Meyer said. She works for the Montgomery County Animal Resource Center, and says she sees this kind of case almost every monthMammary tumors just like in people need to have surgical removal. And depending on how involved it is it can lead to complete mastectomy, she said. Sammie's story has influencing Nyberg's family to make it their mission to stop abuse from backyard breeding.She's asking anyone who can to support Ohio House Bill 274. I looked up all of the senators every single one that's actually in the agricultural committee and emailed them, Nyberg said. Someone needs to speak for them and certainly legislation at the state level would be a place to start, Meyer added. Nyberg said right now there's not a lot in terms of legislation to protect animals affecting by breeding abuse. But there soon could be, so that other dogs don't end up like Sammie. We wanted to give her a permanent home. We wanted her to be free of all her tumors, Nyberg said. Click here to read Sammie's Page Blog.
