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TPD: Bloody machete found next to injured dog; man arrested, accused of torturing animal

Toledo police said that evidence in the home, including a bloodied machete, gave probable cause to believe the dog was being tortured by 20-year-old Harley Gear.

TOLEDO, Ohio — UPDATE: Thursday morning, the humane society told WTOL 11 the dog is recovering at a local animal hospital after receiving staples. Gear pleaded not guilty in Toledo Municipal Court and was released on a $2,500 bond. 

In Toledo Municipal Court on Wednesday morning, Judge Nicole Khoury ordered a west Toledo man to stay away from animals.

Harley Gear, 20, was arrested around 1 a.m. Wednesday and charged with cruelty to animals.

According to court documents, Toledo police were called to a mobile home community on Nebraska Avenue for a wellness check. They found a dog with multiple head injuries next to a machete covered in blood.

Police reported that the evidence in the home and from the caller gave them probable cause to believe the dog was being tortured by Gear.

Gear’s bond was set at $2,500. He is scheduled to appear back in court Thursday morning. His charge is a misdemeanor of the second degree. 

The Toledo Humane Society reports that it investigates more than 2,000 animal cruelty cases each year.

Thursday morning, the humane society told WTOL 11 the dog is recovering at a local animal hospital after receiving staples.

Gear appeared in Toledo Municipal Court Thursday morning on a continuance of the case and pleaded not guilty. He was released on a $2,500 bond.

If you have any information that could help police with this alleged crime or any other, you're asked to call or text Crime Stoppers. That number is 419-255-1111. 

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