Supporters for Forrest, dog tied to tree, shot, left for dead, cancel Cleveland rally

CLEVELAND - The group, Public Animal Welfare Society of Ohio, sent out a memo around 1:05 p.m. Wednesday that the rally planned for Friday was canceled because the arraignment for alleged abuser Ramone Clements was rescheduled.

Clements new court date isn't known yet in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court and authorities are looking for him.

More than 200 people were planning to attend the 7:30 a.m. rally to honor Forrest and to urge state legislation for tougher animal cruelty laws.

Cleveland Heights officers said Clements walked Forrest into Forest Hills Park on Nov. 25 and tied him to a tree. He then shot at Forrest four times, striking the bull mastiff twice in the head, and then left him to die, authorities said.

Clements is charged with animal cruelty and discharging a firearm. A judge said whenever Clements is arraigned, Forrest is allowed to be in the courtroom.

Through the care and support of many local residents, the lovable bull mastiff survived. Forrest continues to enjoy his new life and home.

Late Wednesday afternoon, a federal indictment was handed down against Clements, charging the 42-year-old with being a felon in possession of ammunition.

Clements was found to have one round of .357-caliber ammunition and two rounds of .22-caliber ammo on Dec. 20, despite previous convictions in the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas for rape (2006), drug trafficking (2003) and aggravated robbery (1991), according to the indictment.

"This office places a high priority on keeping firearms and ammunition out of the hands of those who are forbidden by law from obtaining them," Steven Dettelbach, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio. "Whether is a person using a gun to commit a violent crime, a felon illegally obtaining ammunition or a straw purchaser trying to circumvent the law, we will aggressively pursue those who would violate our nation’s firearms laws.

The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison if convicted.

Anyone with information on Clements' whereabouts should call 1-800-ATF-GUNS or the Cleveland Heights Police Department at 1-216-321-1234.