CAMPBELL, Ohio - Two people in Campbell have been charged with animal cruelty and tethering of dogs, which is illegal in the city.

According to the police reports, Campbell police received a complaint about a dog tied outside a home on Lourdes Lane. Officers observed a brown and white terrier mix, with no shelter, chained to a metal pole. Officers also noticed a pitbull mix next door, which was also tethered.

City of Campbell officials passed an anti-tethering ordinance in July that penalizes pet owners who fix their pets to a single point on their property for long periods.

"The point of having an anti-tethering law is to prevent animals from living outside on chains," said Jane MacMurchy, Operation Manager with Animal Charity of Ohio. "By Campbell doing this, it's showing precedent for our entire area."

Officers also observed the dogs on multiple occasions and dates during day and night patrol shifts, noting the lack of proper food, water, and shelter.

Ariel Rivera, 34, has been charged with animal cruelty and tethering of dogs as the owner of the terrier.

Christina Spencer, 53,  has been charged with animal cruelty and tethering of dogs as the owner of the pitbull mix.

"They're [police] pretty proactive out there in Campbell," MacMurchy explained. "They're showing a lot of initiative of breaking down barriers and getting these animals protected."

MacMurchy said she wishes more communities had these types of laws that provide specific restrictions on tethering. MacMurchy said it is common for cities to have anti-tethering ordinances but more uncommon for villages and townships. 

"If you suspect there's a dog that's been outside for 24 hours a day, and there's an anti-tethering law," MacMurchy explained, "or even multiple hours a day when the owner is not home, then you should absolutely call the police for that city.