'Nothing But Animal Cruelty:' Lexington Animal Shelter Under Fire

People in Lexington are demanding action from city leaders over conditions at the town’s animal shelter.  One man said he saw alleged animal mistreatment firsthand. 

In small towns, people will tell you why they chose to call it home.   

“It’s pretty peaceful I would say,” said Kobe Looper, who works in Lexington. 

However, the talk of Lexington lately for Looper brings anything but peace.   

“Multiple dog bodies just kind of tossed into their dumpster,” Looper said. 

Looper is talking about the Lexington Animal Shelter. Brian Ozment said the conditions have been status quo for nearly two years. 

“Nothing but animal cruelty,” Ozment said. “They tell you they’re gonna fix it, but it never gets fixed.”  

Ozment recorded the conditions himself because he worked for the shelter; until Monday.   

“Quit today, yes,” Ozment said. 

Ozment said he could no longer work for a place where this is normal.   

“There’s bloody diarrhea in the cage,” Ozment said. “Urine in his bowl.”   

One of the countless examples Ozment can talk about.  Ozment rescued his dog from this shelter.   

“We call him Lucky Pete,” Ozment said. “Most of the time they don’t have water.”  

 Allison Stampley runs a nonprofit in Norman that rescues animals.   

“What’s happening there is not acceptable,” Stampley said. 

Allison’s emotions tell the story. 

“That’s all I care about. It’s my passion,” Stampley said. “It’s very sad but then the anger kicks in.” 

While the town talks about these videos Ozment said the city remains silent.   

“They think they’re doing a good job over there with their limited resources,” Ozment said. 

However, the Lexington community is talking.  

“Just basic needs need to be met I mean they’re living creatures,” Looper said. 

They’re talking about a group of animals they believe deserve better. 

“They deserve a lot better than this," Ozment said. 

News 9 tried to contact the City of Lexington and we did not hear back. News 9 also reached out to the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office, but we did not hear back.