Veterinarian pleads guilty, gets diversion

FREMONT — A Clyde woman accused of neglecting animals in her care recently pleaded guilty to five felony charges. At a court hearing on Aug. 1, Laura A. Hirt, 72, of the 3300 block of County Road 175 — who was previously identified by local authorities as a veterinarian — pleaded guilty to five counts of cruelty to companion animals, each a fifth-degree felony. Sandusky County Common Pleas Court Judge Jeremiah Ray put Hirt on a diversion program instead of a conviction, according to court documents. It means that as long as Hirt completes her two-year diversion program, the charges will be dismissed. If she violates the terms of her program, she could be sentenced to a minimum of six months and a maximum of one year for each count. The terms of Hirt's diversion program include: • To not engage in the practice of veterinary medicine • To not own, harbor, keep or care for any animal • To not operate an animal sanctuary Whether or not Hirt will lose her veterinary license is at "the sole discretion of the licensing board," court documents state. Background The investigation into Hirt first began on Feb. 25 when deputies and agents from local and national humane societies seized more than 100 animals from Hirt's home as part of a search and seizure warrant. The warrant was executed by the Sandusky County Sheriff's Office, Sandusky County Humane Society agents and those working with Humane World for Animals, formerly known as the Humane Society of the United States, according to a news release from Humane World for Animals. During the search, authorities found dogs, cats, goats, alpacas, donkeys, guinea pigs, rabbits, exotic birds and a pig living in conditions consistent with "large-scale neglect," according to the news release. Responders encountered about 20 dogs moving through a hallway lined with caged parrots. One of the parrots appeared to have a wound on its wing, and a strong ammonia odor was noted throughout the home, the release states. Inside the basement, authorities located an examination table that appeared to have drops of dried blood and dirty pawprints. While in the basement, responders discovered several rabbits in a room filled with feces and urine. They also found a tray with used needles and unlabeled medications, along with dozens of cats showing signs of upper respiratory illnesses, indicated by eye and nasal discharge. The release also states that the allegations of animal neglect were under investigation for several months and that a Sandusky County grand jury indicted Hirt on Feb. 21. Sandusky County dog warden Kelly Pocock said that her agency was first made aware of the situation when one of Hirt's volunteers reached out to make a complaint and that the investigation into the complaint began in August 2024. The alleged crimes occurred between November 2024 and December 2024, according to Hirt's indictment. Hirt allegedly knowingly caused serious physical harm to "Dennis," a domestic short-haired male cat, as well as several other cats, the court record states.