This is Nitro, a 3 year old Rottweiler who lived with his litter mate Bella. Treated as one of the family in a loving home in New York.
Nitro's story, as written on Nitro's Foundation http://www.nitrofoundation.com/our-story.html
"Nitro was the classic, determined Rottie with a high working drive and High Caliber K9 came highly recommended through Nitro's breeder as a positive outlet and focus for him to be the best dog he could be.
Steven S. Croley, the owner of High Caliber K9 appeared to be the charismatic, gifted dog
whisperer and Nitro's family did all the necessary tasks ensuring his background was genuine and without blemish, including an 8 hour drive to be guests of Croley at his facility with impressive results. For 2 1/2 years a successful working relationship and bond soon developed with Croley and naturally a friendship quickly followed including social engagements and outings with all the makings of a trusted alliance.
When a critical medical emergency developed, Nitro's family found themselves in a dilemma of commuting for long periods of time back and forth to New Jersey putting a strain on the pets in their home. Nitro being highly protective proved this to be increasingly stressful on him.
Croley's facility and program of a summer dog camp seemed to be the perfect solution. Not only would he be safe with someone they thought they knew and trusted but Nitro could also work on his training in a secure and safe environment. Nitro was a very reserved dog and not inclined to trust easily and naturally any lingering doubts they might have had regarding Croley had dissolved long ago, since Nitro thrived in Croley's presence and doting attention. This combined with their successful 2 1/2 year history with Croley only reinforced he was trustworthy."
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NITRO'S LAW is the legacy and testament in honor of a family's Rottweiler, Nitro, who was 1 of 8 dogs starved to death in a horrific crime at a K9 training facility in Youngstown, Ohio. Nitro's Each of these dogs had families and bright futures. They came from all over the United States and abroad for elite K9 training aw law enforcement K9s & service assistance K9s, only to end up starved to death in their kennels at High Caliber. The owners of these dogs paid fortunes to ensure their care, only to have them suffer depraved acts of cruelty and neglect.
In February 2009 HB 70 'Nitro's Law' was introduced and passed the Ohio House of Representatives and was assigned to the Ohio Senate's Criminal Justice Committee for consideration and for nearly 1 year this landmark Bill was grossly ignored by the Ohio Senate and on December 31, 2010, Nitro's law legislative window of opportunity ran out. House Bill 108 has been reintroduced as of February 22, 2011 by the original Ohio Representatives Gerberry & Hagan and round 2 has now begun.
By: Sara Uhler, Ambassador Georgia
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On October 22, 2008 an elite dog training facility 'High Caliber K9' in Youngstown, Ohio was raided. Steven S. Croley owner and trainer of High Calilber was arrested, charged and convicted on just 4 misdemeanor infractions for starving 19 dogs, 8 of which died.
A total of 19 dogs suffered extreme starvation and 8 of them lost their lives; 1 Rottweiler, 3 Doberman Pinchers, 1 American Pit bull Terrier, 1 Border Collie, and 2 German Shepherds.
Judge Robert A. Douglas Jr. set bond at $20,000 for Steven S. Croley, 37, allowing 10 percent to be paid. He will be back in court Nov. 13 for a pretrial hearing.
To this day he has yet to openly acknowledge his self-absorbed criminal actions and remorse for the unspeakable suffering which he was responsible for. The suffering of these dogs was not out of sight and out of mind; Croley lived on the same property as the kennels and the training area was his own backyard.
He was meticulous about the grounds, always displaying freshly-cut grass even while the dead carcasses of dogs were decaying in the kennels in the back. Alleged drug use is reported to have been the motivating factor in robbing these dogs of the basic necessities of life with the money paid to ensure their care instead being used to feed an alleged drug addiction.
A further crime and travesty of justice occurred after the original crime; Croley was originally charged on 19 counts of animal cruelty for starving 19 dogs, 8 of which died with only misdemeanor provisions and penalties regardless of the severity of this crime, courtesy of Ohio's outdated legislation. To top this off, due to a legal technicality 15 of those original 19 charges were dropped and Nitro's life was one of them. Croley was charged only 4 counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty and was granted a plea bargain sentencing him to only 4 months in county jail with 13 days credited already having been served. He was released on Mother's Day 2009.
Ohio continues to rank at the bottom of animal protection legislation. The degradation of our nation as a whole by the state of Ohio continues into the 21st century and only through legislation that allows for prosectution of animal cruelty with stronger penalties imposed on those found guilty, will Ohio be on the road to becoming a Just and compassionate State.
How Nitro was found.... along with other dogs at this training facility.
On December 7, 2011. Nitro's law held a Rally in Columbus Ohio, at the State house for HB 108
Shelly Zehner Emans,
WEEAC Ambassador Ohio,
Joined Liz at the Rally to support
HB 108
Ohio continues to rank at the bottom of animal protection legislation.
Nitro's Law HB 108 passed the Criminal Justice Committee on September 21, 2011 the bill is still awaiting to be handed to the floor for a vote from The Speaker of The House. Once that happens it will still need to go through a Senate Committee then the Senate must vote and finally off to the Governor. The bill may expire before all of this get's done.
For further Details and Action follow Nitro's Foundation
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