Season 1: State vs Steffen Baldwin / Episode 3: Who is Steffen Baldwin? Steffen Baldwin fooled the animal welfare world with his “masked persona”, presenting himself as a dog savior when in fact he was harming and killing the dogs he was asked to help. But how does someone evolve into this? What factors in someone’s childhood effect the person we become? In this episode, Author James Renner, talks about his research into Baldwin’s childhood and early adulthood to help our audience understand a b...
Jun 05, 2025•56 min•Season 1Ep. 3
Season 1: State vs Steffen Baldwin / Episode 2: The Rabbit Hole After finding out that Steffen had secretly euthanized Remi, the Kargakos’ found themselves looking for someone to investigate Steffen and get to the truth of what happened to Remi. In Episode Two, Officer Jim Conroy, from the Mahoning County Police Department, takes us through the beginning of the investigation, how he became involved and how looking into Remi's story took him into a complex case, filled with more crimes everywhere...
May 29, 2025•58 min•Season 1Ep. 2
Season 1: State v Steffen Baldwin / Episode 1: Remi Steffen Baldwin gained popularity in the State of Ohio as a "dog savior", proclaiming that he could rehabilitate and rehome any dog, including those deemed dangerous and not adoptable. He spent years sharing his "success" stories, but the truth was revealed when one of his victims, Litsa Kargakos, discovered his horrific scheme which claimed the lives of many dogs and hurt the people who cared about them. In Episode One, Dr. G and Litsa share t...
May 22, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 1
Dr. João Bittar, Assistant Professor of Beef Cattle Extension at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, talks about the importance of long-distance observation of livestock in determining their physical and behavioral health. The 2025 Animal ForensiCon: The Animal Forensic Investigations Conference is a three-day event, offered in Daytona Beach Shores, Florida from May 7th to 9th, 2025. The conference is hosted by the University of Florida’s Veterinary Forensic Sciences Labora...
May 11, 2025•11 min•Ep. 90
Dr. Federico Grosso, Clinical Associate Professor of Diagnostic Imaging at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, discusses the importance of x-rays in diagnosing the cause and consequences of trauma to the chest. The 2025 Animal ForensiCon: The Animal Forensic Investigations Conference is a three-day event, offered in Daytona Beach Shores, Florida from May 7th to 9th, 2025. The conference is hosted by the University of Florida’s Veterinary Forensic Sciences Laboratory. Forens...
May 11, 2025•6 min•Ep. 89
Denise Boyd, researcher with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, shares with us the dangers faced by manatees, dolphins and whales in Southwest Florida from collisions with boats. The 2025 Animal ForensiCon: The Animal Forensic Investigations Conference is a three-day event, offered in Daytona Beach Shores, Florida from May 7th to 9th, 2025. The conference is hosted by the University of Florida’s Veterinary Forensic Sciences Laboratory. ForensiCon offers workshops and educatio...
May 11, 2025•4 min•Ep. 88
Dr. Jennifer Bonovich gives us an overview of the role of the sheter veterinarian in forensic cases and how animal cruelty cases can be pursued “on a budget”. The 2025 Animal ForensiCon: The Animal Forensic Investigations Conference is a three-day event, offered in Daytona Beach Shores, Florida from May 7th to 9th, 2025. The conference is hosted by the University of Florida’s Veterinary Forensic Sciences Laboratory. ForensiCon offers workshops and educational sessions on a wide variety of topics...
May 11, 2025•5 min•Ep. 87
Dr. Becky Morrow, founder of Frankie’s Friends, gives us an overview of the role of the veterinarian in forensic cases including testifying in court. The 2025 Animal ForensiCon: The Animal Forensic Investigations Conference is a three-day event, offered in Daytona Beach Shores, Florida from May 7th to 9th, 2025. The conference is hosted by the University of Florida’s Veterinary Forensic Sciences Laboratory. ForensiCon offers workshops and educational sessions on a wide variety of topics pertaini...
May 11, 2025•6 min•Ep. 86
Laura Koivula, director of Animal Crimes and Investigations for Humane World for Animal’s Animal Rescue Team, discusses the LINK between animal cruelty and family violence. The 2025 Animal ForensiCon: The Animal Forensic Investigations Conference is a three-day event, offered in Daytona Beach Shores, Florida from May 7th to 9th, 2025. The conference is hosted by the University of Florida’s Veterinary Forensic Sciences Laboratory. ForensiCon offers workshops and educational sessions on a wide var...
May 11, 2025•5 min•Ep. 85
Can the internet be a resource for criminal investigations? Jacob Lloyd, from the Animal Welfare Investigations Project, shares with us do’s and don’ts of internet searching in animal crimes. The 2025 Animal ForensiCon: The Animal Forensic Investigations Conference is a three-day event, offered in Daytona Beach Shores, Florida from May 7th to 9th, 2025. The conference is hosted by the University of Florida’s Veterinary Forensic Sciences Laboratory. ForensiCon offers workshops and educational ses...
May 11, 2025•4 min•Ep. 84
If you ever watched the show Bones, here is the real thing. Verity Mathis talks about the collection of species and how they can help with identification of unknown samples. The 2025 Animal ForensiCon: The Animal Forensic Investigations Conference is a three-day event, offered in Daytona Beach Shores, Florida from May 7th to 9th, 2025. The conference is hosted by the University of Florida’s Veterinary Forensic Sciences Laboratory. ForensiCon offers workshops and educational sessions on a wide va...
May 11, 2025•4 min•Ep. 83
FBI Agent Lauren Regucci discusses the FBI’s 12-step approach to evidence collection and the importance of properly documenting a crime scene. The 2025 Animal ForensiCon: The Animal Forensic Investigations Conference is a three-day event, offered in Daytona Beach Shores, Florida from May 7th to 9th, 2025. The conference is hosted by the University of Florida’s Veterinary Forensic Sciences Laboratory. ForensiCon offers workshops and educational sessions on a wide variety of topics pertaining to c...
May 10, 2025•7 min•Ep. 82
Justin McClure, Agriculture Investigator for the Marion County Sheriff’s Office in Florida, shares information on the evaluation of livestock for cruelty and neglect and gives advise on how to assess their condition to determine if a crime is being committed. The 2025 Animal ForensiCon: The Animal Forensic Investigations Conference is a three-day event, offered in Daytona Beach Shores, Florida from May 7th to 9th, 2025. The conference is hosted by the University of Florida’s Veterinary Forensic ...
May 10, 2025•8 min•Ep. 81
Laura Hope, Assistant State Attorney for the 5th Circuit, shares information on jury selection and expert witness testimony in jury trials. The 2025 Animal ForensiCon: The Animal Forensic Investigations Conference is a three-day event, offered in Daytona Beach Shores, Florida from May 7th to 9th, 2025. The conference is hosted by the University of Florida’s Veterinary Forensic Sciences Laboratory. ForensiCon offers workshops and educational sessions on a wide variety of topics pertaining to crim...
May 10, 2025•8 min•Ep. 80
Janette Reever, dogfighting expert from the Humane World for Animals gives a quick review on dogfighting, what to look for and document both to present a strong criminal case. The 2025 Animal ForensiCon: The Animal Forensic Investigations Conference is a three-day event, offered in Daytona Beach Shores, Florida from May 7th to 9th, 2025. The conference is hosted by the University of Florida’s Veterinary Forensic Sciences Laboratory. ForensiCon offers workshops and educational sessions on a wide ...
May 09, 2025•10 min•Ep. 79
The 2025 Animal ForensiCon: The Animal Forensic Investigations Conference is a three-day event, offered in Daytona Beach Shores, Florida from May 7th to 9th, 2025. The conference is hosted by the University of Florida’s Veterinary Forensic Sciences Laboratory. ForensiCon offers workshops and educational sessions on a wide variety of topics pertaining to criminal investigations, law, small animal investigations, equine and livestock investigations, and wildlife crimes. This conference is open to ...
May 08, 2025•21 min•Ep. 78
Join us on a behind the scenes look at the HBO documentary Chimp Crazy. Dr. G is joined by Brittany Peet, General Counsel for Captive Animal Law Enforcement for the PETA Foundation, and Angela Scott, volunteer turned whistleblower who helped rescue several chimps from the Missouri Primate Foundation. On this episode, we discuss the documentary as well as some facts not mentioned on the show. Brittany Peet also shares an overview of the Captive Primate Safety Act, and how we need this legislation...
Mar 08, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 77
Last year, a case came before the Ohio Supreme Court that challenged the legal status of dogs and cats as companion animals based on being "kept". Dr. G's guests, Cuyahoga County Assistant Prosecutors Tasha Forchione and Sarah Hutnik, will take you through the entire process, from the initial guilty verdict to the court of appeals, and ultimately their work presenting this case at the Ohio Supreme Court. This case was important beyond justice for this cat and accountability for Mr. Kyles. You wi...
Jan 29, 2025•45 min•Ep. 76
Are you successful at reaching your clients, donors, or adopters? We do not have a single audience, and our message has to be directed towards a multitude of individuals if we want to make a difference in the lives of animals. This is not always an easy task, but it is not an impossible one either. To help us learn the different ways in which we can reach our audience, and the importance of understanding the community in which we live in, Dr. G has invited Mia Navedo-Williams to discuss marketin...
Dec 09, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 75
Kathleen Wood, Senior Staff Attorney for The Animal Legal Defense Fund (aldf.org), joins Dr. G to discuss the 2023 ALDF State Animal Protection Ranking Report. Learn about the purpose and the information found on this document, and how it can help promote better animal protection laws in every state. You can help us spread the word and protect more animals from cruelty and neglect by liking, rating, and sharing the podcast. Together we can make a difference in the lives of animals everywhere. Me...
Oct 30, 2024•40 min•Ep. 74
Investigative reporters for the LA Times, Melody Gutierrez and Alene Tchekmedyian, discuss the findings of their investigation into the puppy mill pipeline to California, the cruelty and the fraud. From the LA Times: An L.A. Times investigation found that many dogs sold as California-bred come from mass breeders in the Midwest. Unsuspecting pet buyers can face heartache and thousands of dollars in vet bills when their puppies get sick or die. California is destroying veterinary records that prov...
Oct 03, 2024•43 min•Ep. 73
Dr. G chats with the Executive Director of Cat Hustler, Julia Grosz, about the Acatemy, a weekend program geared towards cat owners, rescuers, and caretakers. Learn about the program and the amazing speakers who will be featured at this event. About the Acatemy They say “it's all about the cats” but The Acatemy understands that nothing can be achieved without people like you behind the scenes. Our programming is designed to support individuals and their organizations by providing a space for net...
Sep 28, 2024•30 min•Ep. 72
The interconnection between humans and animals extends beyond the human-animal bond into many different ways in which we interact with animals. On this episode, Dr. G and guest Marika Bell, dive into Anthrozoology, behavior, shelter animals, and more. Marika also shares her experiences interviewing individuals who helped the animals from the Maui wildfires. About our guest: Marika has an MA in Anthrozoology from the University of Exeter , holds a BA in Zoology (UW) and has been a CPDT-KA (Ce...
Sep 11, 2024•41 min•Ep. 71
The Animal Welfare Junction Episode 70: The Puppy Mill Pipeline to Texas, with guest Shelby Bobosky, Esq. Attorney Shelby Bobosky, Executive Director of the Texas Humane Legislation Network, joins us to discuss the puppy mill pipeline to Texas, Texas breeder laws, and how consumers are dumped into spending thousands of dollars on sick puppies. For information on the efforts of the Texas Humane Legislation Network, visit www.THLN.org Mentioned in this episode: 10% off Tomahawk products Use keywor...
Sep 01, 2024•52 min•Ep. 70
All animals deserve a life free from pain and suffering, and this includes farm animals. Dr. Susan Krebsbach, Executive Director for the Veterinary Association for Farm Animal Welfare, joins us to discuss this difficult topic. While we realize that animal use for food and fiber won't end soon, we must ensure that these animals are not abused and neglected simply because of their final fate. This is a discussion of what is currently being done, what can be done better, and how we can all help far...
Aug 22, 2024•40 min•Ep. 69
Dr. Rustin Moore, Dean of The Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine and author of the book "Unleashing the Bond: Harnessing the Benefits and Safeguarding the Risks of Human-Animal Interactions", joins us to discuss the importance of the human-animal bond and his upcoming book release. This book is for all audiences, and shares the science behind the bond as well as stories that highlight the important role animals have in our lives. To pre-order, visit www.rustinmooredvm.com Mentioned in thi...
Aug 17, 2024•42 min•Ep. 68
This episode of The Animal Welfare Junction podcast takes place during the My Dog is My Home and Found House 10th Anniversary celebration in Cincinnati, OH. These organizations help individuals experiencing homelessness with their pets. This episode contains the stories of four individuals who, for different reasons, found themselves homeless along with their animal companions. They share their stories of heartbreak and hope, and how Found House and My Dog is My Home helped them along their jour...
Aug 13, 2024•37 min•Ep. 67
Dan Ettinger, host of The Animal Control Report, joins Dr. G to discuss SMART animal shelters and its goal to Save More Animals Responsibly Together. For more information on SMART, visit www.keepithumane.com Like our content? Help us by rating and sharing our podcast. Together we can make a difference in the lives of animals and the people who care for them. Mentioned in this episode: Keep it Humane Podcast Network The Animal Welfare Junction is part of the Keep It Humane Podcast Network. Visit ...
Jul 24, 2024•49 min•Ep. 66
What is a puppy mill? Mark Finneran, Ohio State Director for the Humane Society of the United States shares information about puppy mills, their horrible practices, the problems with the current laws and what advocates are doing to help both the dogs and consumers. Did you know that Ohio is the 2nd state in Commercial Dog Breeding and Broker licenses, second only to Missouri? This is not something that Ohioans should be proud of, and it is up to advocacy groups, government entities, and consumer...
Jun 21, 2024•34 min•Ep. 65
This is part two of a two-part series on the petition created by the Harvard Law School's Animal Law Clinic on behalf of wildlife animal advocates seeking to eliminate anticoagulant rodenticides in Massachusetts. Not only are these poisons a cruel way to kill rodents, the victims of these devices extend to wildlife and even species that are protected. Our guests will discuss how they have come together in this fight, the importance of education of the public on this issue, and what we can do tog...
Jun 11, 2024•59 min•Ep. 64
