Nason, who is serving a five-year sentence at London Correctional for unrelated felonious assault and endangering children counts, wrote in a motion to a Montgomery County Common Pleas Court judge that he has participated in hundreds of hours in the Pets Uniting People Program (PUPP).
RELATED: Man convicted in Klonda Richey dog mauling case going to prison for child abuse
“I think this is absolutely ridiculous,” Montgomery County Prosecutor Mat Heck Jr. said. “What is the Ohio Department of Corrections thinking? Which then begs the question, do they have any clue about his past?
“If he is enrolled in such a program, maybe he can learn what it means to be a responsible dog owner, and how to properly care for and control a dog.”
An Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction spokeswoman said Nason has not been active with the program since October. No reason was provided why Nason was allowed to enroll or why his participation ended.
RELATED: Man involved in Klonda Richey case jailed for alleged child abuse
Richey, 57, died Feb. 7, 2014, after being attacked by two dogs in the driveway of her home on East Bruce Avenue.
Nason asked Judge Steven Dankof in a fall 2017 pro se (without an attorney) motion to credit his prison community work service toward his court costs. As of Sept. 25, 2017, Nason wrote he had performed 744 hours with PUPP.
A flyer about A-1 PUPP provided by the ODRC said it was a two-year apprentice program that offers a certificate of from the Ohio Dept. of Labor that certifies the graduate as a journeyman animal trainer.
RELATED: Couple in fatal dog mauling case sentenced
The flyer says the program is for rescue dogs that may have been neglected, abused, surrendered, removed from bad living conditions including puppy mills. The ODRC said the program trains and socializes the dogs for adoption.
Nason wrote that he makes just $18 per month from which he must pay for utilities, health care fees, hygiene purchases and other miscellaneous expenses.
Dankof denied the motion.
RELATED: Vicious dogs: Ohio moves to change laws on dog owners
Dankof also denied Nason’s December 2017 motion to waive court costs and fines, which again noted Nason’s affidavit of indigency. Dankof’s ruling to deny the second request was because Nason offered “no compelling reason” to do so.
Nason was found guilty in April 2017 on charges related to a 2-year-old’s injuries in September 2012. According to prosecutors, the little girl was transported to Dayton Children’s Hospital with significant head trauma.
Dankof sentenced him to five years in prison. Nason’s potential release date is Nov. 27, 2020, according to ODRC records.
MORE: Read other stories from Mark Gokavi
The judge in the Dayton Municipal Court misdemeanor case involving Richey ordered staggered sentences, so Nason could help care for their children.
Richey’s death spurred Ohio legislators to attempt to strengthen laws seeking penalties against owners of vicious dogs.
A message seeking comment from Dayton city prosecutor Stephanie Cook was not returned.
About the Author