Former dog trainer convicted of animal cruelty

Behind bars in Dearborn County

(LAWRENCEBURG, Ind.) – A former dog trainer convicted of animal cruelty will remain behind bars for one more year. 

Prosecutors say a police search at the former B&W Motors in Greendale in 2021 revealed abandoned dogs living in horrendous conditions. 

“Several were malnourished, and one appeared to be in very poor health with eye injuries. Another dog had its head stuck through a hole in its crate, while a dog in a metal crate exhibited aggressive behavior, repeatedly slamming against the crate, and had damaged lower teeth due to tearing a hole in the side of the crate,” Prosecutor Lynn Deddens said. 

Police say they also found deceased dogs that were decomposing on the property. 

47-year-old Timothy Helser pleaded guilty to eight counts of animal cruelty. 

Dearborn County Judge Jonathan Cleary sentenced Helser to four years in jail.He is scheduled to be released in February of 2026.

"This was a difficult case for law enforcement, Dearborn CountyAnimal Control Officers, PAWS, the property owner and my office to understand how a person, under the guise of being a dog trainer could so inhumanely treat and then abandon dogs", stated Prosecutor Lynn Deddens. "lt took a bit to get Mr. Helser extradited back to the state of lndiana on misdemeanor charges. I am happy justice was served."