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Local News

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Officials seize 26 animals
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By MARY KATE MALONE

Staff Writer

The woman who hoarded cats and rabbits in a south Findlay garage last month apparently fled to Hardin County, where authorities seized her animals from a Dunkirk storage unit.

The Wyandot County Humane Society, which serves Hardin County, took 20 cats, five rabbits and one chicken from Valerie Serafin on Sept. 19.

She had previously lived among cages of cats and rabbits in a South Blanchard Street garage in Findlay. The garage had no running water.

Hancock County animal control officials had wanted to charge Serafin with animal cruelty, but she disappeared with her animals Sept. 5 after the dog warden announced he would investigate the garage.

Weeks later, she showed up in Hardin County, where authorities swiftly rescued the animals.

One cat was already dead by the time the Humane Society arrived, and the others are not expected to survive, said Linda Balz, the society's director.

"She definitely falls into the category of 'hoarder,'" Balz said of Sarafin. "They fancy themselves as loving these animals ... they just don't seem to get that they are creating so much suffering for these animals that they supposedly love."

Balz said several of the rescued cats have feline leukemia, an incurable disease.

The Humane Society is still investigating the incident, and might press charges against Serafin for animal cruelty, Balz said. She suspects Serafin could be hoarding other animals elsewhere who might be "dead or dying."

Serafin did not return telephone calls.

Serafin has filed charges against the Wyandot County Humane Society, claiming the agency illegally entered her storage unit and took her animals without a search warrant, according to a report she filed with the sheriff's office.

Serafin has proven to be elusive. Neither the Hardin County Sheriff's Office, the Wyandot County Humane Society nor animal control officials in Findlay know where she is.

Balz suspects Serafin lives in her car.

People have spotted Serafin around Findlay, and described her as bedraggled and unkempt. Some said they had seen her feeding her animals in parking lots.

Malone: 419-427-8417,
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Benton Ridge Shooting

This video, released by the Hancock County Prosecutor's Office, shows the shooting of a Lima man who led authorities on a three-county chase ending Aug.24 in Benton Ridge. Be cautioned, the video contains graphic content.
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News Briefs Firefighters discover 20 marijuana plants in house
After fighting a house fire early Monday at 815 Howard St., firefighters found 20 marijuana plants in the residence.

"They ran across it and called us," said police Sgt. Justin Hendren with the Hancock County METRICH Drug Enforcement Unit.

Police seized all 20 plants, and Hendren said charges are pending.

High-powered growing lights, fans, and a box filled with dried marijuana were also found in the house, according to a police report.

Investigators said an electrical short started the fire before 3 a.m. Monday.

The blaze caused an estimated $12,000 in damage to the residence, owned by Amanda Crawford. No one was injured, according to the Findlay Fire Department.

Carey announces holiday closing
CAREY -- Carey offices, including administrative, income tax and utilities, electric, wastewater treatment plant, and public works, will be closed Monday in observance of Labor Day.

The curbside recycling program will be held Tuesday through Thursday, Sept. 7-9.

Findlay trooper named sergeant
Trooper Jacob L. Fletcher, assigned to the Findlay post of the State Highway Patrol, was promoted to sergeant Wednesday by Patrol Superintendent Col. David Dicken.

With the promotion, Fletcher will stay at the Findlay post and serve as an assistant post commander, according to the patrol.

Fletcher began his patrol career in 2002 after graduating from the 139th Academy class and has been assigned to the Findlay post since.

Owens announces holiday schedule
The Toledo and Findlay campuses of Owens Community College will be closed Saturday through Monday for the Labor Day holiday.

There will be no classes and the college offices will be closed.

Classes will resume and offices will open again on Tuesday.

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Black and white display advertising for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by noon Friday. Display advertising for Wednesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Color display advertising for the Thursday, Sept. 9 newspaper must be placed by Friday.

Classified advertising and City and Country advertising for Saturday's newspaper must be placed by 2 p.m. Friday. Classified ads for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Courier business and advertising offices will close at 3 p.m. Friday for the holiday.