WARREN — A local animal rescue has taken on a larger role in protecting animals across Trumbull County.

On Wednesday, Healthy Hearts & Paws Project was officially named a humane society and its founder, Jason Cooke, was sworn in as a humane agent. The designation, granted by Trumbull County Probate Judge James Fredericka, gives Cooke the authority to enforce animal cruelty laws countywide.

Cooke said the move was a natural step for his organization.

“With the overwhelming number of dogs, cats and animals in general not being cared for in Trumbull County, the natural thing was for me to go through the training to become a humane agent,” Cooke said.

He recently completed training approved by the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission.

Cooke explained that his main goal is to help pet ow

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