Inside the Waterbury Home: What Officers Found – Part One

LAKEWOOD, OHIO – An “overwhelming” odor was not the only indicator of putrid conditions at the home on Waterbury Road where 41 beagles were rescued.

During the probable cause hearing, officers described the home as they rescued beagles one by one on December 19.

Kurtis Bialosky, Lakewood animal control officer, said the division received an e-mail complaint on December 18 about six allegedly “malnourished” beagles living in the garage at the residence.

He arrived at the home around 1:15 p.m. Unsanitary conditions were apparent as soon as the individual answered the front door.

“There was a strong, strong odor of defecation and ammonia,” Bialosky recounted.

The owner brought out three beagles of varying ages, all of which had severely overgrown nails to the point of curling. Bialosky estimated it had been “months” since their last nail trim.

When Bialosky asked the individual why the dog’s nails were so long, the owner responded that he had arthritis in his hands. The homeowner also said he had property in Trumbull County where he was planning to transport all of the beagles.

When the officer asked the man how many beagles were inside the home, the owner stated 15. Bialosky was skeptical of the number based on the intensity of the barking coming from the home and garage.

The information provided during this encounter was enough to establish probable cause and obtain a search warrant.

Editor’s Note: This is part one in a three-part series about the night the Waterbury beagles were rescued. Part one covers the events preceding the execution of the search warrant for the property. Part two describes the property’s condition and the rescue operation. In part three, learn about Ernest R. Lazor’s past record and alleged plans for the animals. All descriptions and quotes are taken from direct testimony at the probable cause hearing which occurred on Dec. 29, 2022.