Forrest the Dog's Popularity, Animal Rights Activism Growing on Facebook Page
In just a short amount of time, Forrest the dog has more than 1,200 followers.
Ever stop and wonder about what dogs could say if they could talk?
Solon resident Robin Stone, who recently took in the dog who was shot and left chained to a tree in Cleveland Heights, gives Forrest a voice through his own Facebook page.
Ramone Clements, the man accused of shooting a dog and leaving him for dead in Forest Hill Park, was charged with having ammunition as a felon on Wednesday and arrested Thursday.
But charges related to the alleged crime against the dog — including an animal cruelty charge — were dropped by local courts.
While this extends the sentence Clements faces if found guilty, Stone has said that it unjustly takes Forrest out of the proceedings.
Stone, who is an animal rights activist with her partner Patti Harris, said she started the Facebook page for a couple of reasons.
"First, we felt we needed a forum to keep a potentially large audience informed about his care, updates and events related to his case and also to gain as much support from animal lovers and advocates so we could begin to plan to put forth a comprehensive bill in Ohio," she said. "We decided early on that we would band together with PAWS Ohio to gain support for animal cruelty law reform and Forrest is already the catalyst."
The Facebook page was only started just recently and already, Forrest has 1,225 followers.
"I really had no expectations and I wasn't sure how fast and furious it would become but now that the fire has started I hope to hit the 10,000 mark," said Stone. "It was an absolute pleasure to see the outpouring of support and the passion that these people feel for companion animals."
People who follow the page have been leaving notes to Forrest for a quick recovery and to show support for animal cruelty law reform.
One follower wrote: "Good luck to you Forrest and enjoy your new home ... I hope you and your moms get to see the mean man who hurt you locked away in a cage for a very long, long time where he can never, ever hurt anyone — not another animal, woman, man, or child again."
While several media outlets — including Patch — continue to cover this ongoing story, Stone said she also plans to update her audience about what's happening in court, stories Forrest is featured in, updates on animal cruelty reform and photos and videos of the dog.
"We post everything that I would want to know if I was following Forrest's amazing story," she said. "We post things he would say if he could, we repeatedly post his position on the comprehensive bill, we interact with other's comments and their animals, people post pictures of their rescues and their stories and on and on."
Forrest has become a mascot of sorts, especially through the Facebook page, for animal rights activists.
"There are a lot of people who are fired up now that they understand that the seven bills died in the 129th General Assembly and therefore are demanding change. Everyone feels Ohio has to do better," said Stone. "I'd also like it to be a place for people to celebrate their pets."
So, what's not to "like?" Check out Forrest's page and tell everyone in the comments what you think about the dog's page.
