COLUMBUS, Ohio — A past animal neglect case involving the estranged mother of Ohio Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dr. Amy Acton is receiving renewed attention following a controversial campaign advertisement released by Republican opponent Vivek Ramaswamy.
According to an October 23 report by the New York Post, Donna Arthur faced animal neglect charges in Pennsylvania in 2021 after four newborn kittens were discovered inside a vehicle where temperatures reportedly reached 120 degrees.
Court testimony indicated that the kittens were approximately five days old and that one later died from heat exhaustion. A humane society officer testified that he measured the vehicle’s interior temperature at 120 degrees while responding to the incident.
Arthur disputed claims that the vehicle was dangerously hot. She acknowledged living in the vehicle with her cats at the time.
Arthur was initially convicted and sentenced to a fine and probation, along with restrictions on keeping animals while living in her vehicle. However, an appeals court later vacated the conviction and sentence because of a procedural issue involving her right to legal representation. The case was returned to a lower court for additional proceedings.
The appellate decision did not resolve the underlying allegations. The report did not establish the final outcome of the case following the appeal.
The renewed scrutiny comes after Ramaswamy’s campaign released an advertisement featuring Arthur criticizing her estranged daughter and urging voters not to support her.
The advertisement has drawn criticism from members of both political parties, including Republicans who questioned the decision to involve Acton’s estranged mother.
Acton has previously spoken publicly about her difficult childhood, including allegations of abuse and neglect. She has said her mother lost custody of her when she was 12 years old.
The controversy comes as Acton and Ramaswamy compete in Ohio’s 2026 gubernatorial election.
Source: New York Post — Ally Goelz, “Ohio Dem Amy Acton’s estranged mom left five-day-old kittens in a sweltering car to die, court records reveal,” published October 23, 2026.