Today Hamilton County Prosecutor Connie Pillich announces the indictment of an East Price Hill man on a felony animal cruelty charge for strangling his dog.

Richard Orth, 59, of East Price Hill, was indicted Monday on a charge of cruel treatment of companion animals. He faces up to a year in prison.

On May 23, Orth brought his elderly dog, Tinkerbell, to the Animal Hospital of Delhi Hills on Anderson Ferry Road. The veterinarian determined the dog needed to be euthanized and quoted Orth a price of $500.



When staff left the room to prepare the medication, Orth could be heard on audio from the room saying, “Go be with God. I won’t let you suffer. $500 is highway robbery.”

Orth then strangled Tinkerbell, causing injuries to the dog’s neck and throat. Tinkerbell then had to be euthanized.

“There’s no excuse for what happened here,” said Hamilton County Prosecutor Connie Pillich. “Our office is committed to holding those accountable who harm animals.”