Bully Dawgs Towing, LLC, a towing and recovery business based in Holmes County, Ohio, has filed a lawsuit against several county officials alleging violations of due process rights. The complaint was lodged by Bully Dawgs Towing on November 14, 2025, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. The defendants named in the suit include Timothy Stryker, a Sheriff’s Deputy; Timothy W. Zimmerly, the Sheriff of Holmes County; and the Board of County Commissioners of Holmes County.
The case revolves around allegations that Bully Dawgs Towing was unjustly removed from the Holmes County Sheriff’s tow rotation list—a decision that significantly impacted their business operations. Jerome Barton, the sole member of Bully Dawgs Towing, claims that this removal was influenced by personal vendettas rather than legitimate concerns about business practices. Barton had previously expressed dissatisfaction with Fire Chief Brian Rafferty at a public meeting on February 13, 2025. Rafferty’s close friend and supporter, Deputy Stryker, allegedly retaliated by influencing Barton’s removal from the tow rotation list.
Barton recounts that following his public criticism of Rafferty at a Fire District meeting attended by both Rafferty and Stryker, calls from the Sheriff’s office to Bully Dawgs decreased dramatically. When Barton sought clarification from Sheriff Zimmerly regarding this reduction in call volume, he was informed that it was due to complaints about price-gouging made by Erie Insurance. However, Barton contends these claims were unfounded and maintains that he never received any formal complaints or documentation substantiating these allegations.
The lawsuit asserts that Policy 502—the policy governing tow rotations—was applied arbitrarily and capriciously against Bully Dawgs without providing them due process as required under both U.S. and Ohio constitutions. It is argued that Policy 502 allows for unbridled discretion by state employees to remove companies from the rotation list without proper adjudication procedures or avenues for appeal.
Bully Dawgs is seeking damages for lost income resulting from their removal from the tow rotation list. They argue this action deprived them of a property interest created by their placement on the list—a valuable asset they invested significant resources to attain and maintain. Additionally, they claim that Policy 502 is unconstitutionally vague and violates statutory rule-making processes outlined in Ohio law.
Representing Bully Dawgs Towing is attorney Joshua J. Brown from Josh Brown Law LLC., located in Columbus, Ohio. The case has been assigned Case ID: 5:25-cv-02489 but does not yet specify which judge will preside over proceedings.
Source: 525cv02489_Bully_Dawgs_Towing_v_Stryker_Complaint_Northern_District_Ohio.pdf
