Activists rally Wednesday as woman is sentenced in dog cruelty case

YOUNGSTOWN ­— Animal rights activists will be outside city hall, 26 S. Phelps St., at 8 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 Wednesday in Youngstown Municipal Court by Judge Robert Milich. She didn’t appear in court on June 3 for a sentencing

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