Activists rally Wednesday as woman is sentenced in dog cruelty case

YOUNGSTOWN — Animal rights activists will be outside city hall, 26 S. Phelps St., from 9:15 to 10 a.m. Wednesday to draw attention to the sentencing of a Youngstown woman for animal cruelty.

Akesha Bowman, 37, was found guilty April 28 of the misdemeanor charge. She is to be sentenced at 10:15 a.m. Wednesday in Youngstown Municipal Court by Judge Robert Milich.

The dog, Hershey, was neglected and emaciated, said Jason Cooke, a local animal rights activist who is organizing the rally.

Cooke organized a May 21 rally before the conviction of William Clemons of Youngstown of animal cruelty for neglecting and failing to properly feed five dogs.