Restitution has been mandated in a recent court case involving fraudulent operations by a dog training business. Two individuals, Long and Taverna, are required to compensate their victims, with Long ordered to pay $7,200 to three victims and Taverna owing $2,691.24 to one victim. Additionally, a court ruling prohibits Long and Taverna from contacting each other, and Taverna is barred from contacting their co-defendant, Jason Jones.
The court records from Montgomery County Common Pleas reveal that Taverna and Long pleaded guilty to charges including four counts of theft and one count of cruelty to companion animals, following their no-contest pleas in February. Taverna also admitted guilt to a second count of animal cruelty. The convictions related to animal cruelty are classified as first-degree misdemeanors. Meanwhile, two counts of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity were dismissed.
The fraudulent activities were linked to Dayton Dog Trainer, a business managed by Jones, where pet owners collectively paid over $200,000. An investigation by the Miamisburg Police Department uncovered a pattern of neglect and mistreatment, with dogs being returned untrained and often in poor condition. The investigation was prompted by a complaint from Randy Reed of Miamisburg, who discovered his two bernedoodles, Emmy and Bailey, in a neglected state after hiring Jones. Reed’s findings led to uncovering more than 65 victims of the fraudulent scheme.
Among the victims was a woman whose French bulldog was returned with missing hair and filed-down teeth, and a couple whose German Shepherd developed worsening behavior after multiple visits. Prosecutors noted in a sentencing memorandum that one dog died due to the business’s actions, and another was so adversely affected that euthanasia was necessary. Jones has been sentenced to up to five years of probation and must pay $341,363.24 in restitution.
