More than 150 animals — including rabbits, chickens, roosters and pigeons — that were being hoarded have been removed as part of an active investigation by the Humane Society of Greater Dayton.
Sixty animals were taken from the residence Thursday because they were considered ill and the remainder of the animals were expected to be removed Friday, according to the Humane Society.
The Humane Society has set up an emergency shelter for the animals.
“These animals were removed because many appeared to be sick and are being kept in unsafe and unsanitary living conditions,” said Sheila Marquis, the Humane Society of Greater Dayton’s humane agent, in a statement. “In hoarding cases like this, owners typically have a strong love for animals, but become overwhelmed by their circumstances. I think this is what we are dealing with in this case as well.”
The resident, a man who declined to be identified, told WHIO-TV on Friday that investigators said to him he had too many pets. He said he had a habit of taking animals in to care for them, they would have babies and the care for all of them became too much for him to keep up.
According to Montgomery County Auditor’s records, the home is owned by Janet Simpson and Cynthia Domansky of Dayton.
When contacted, Simpson said she didn’t want to be involved in the issue and declined to comment further.
The property, 7043 Chadbourne Drive, was declared a public health nuisance on Thursday, according to Bill Wharton, spokesman for Public Health – Dayton & Montgomery County. Wharton said the resident was ordered to remove the animals and clean the interior of the house.
“He is fully aware of what he needs to do,” Wharton said. “When there are that many animals, you can imagine both the waste problems and other problems associated with it.”
Wharton said health officials will check in with him every two weeks to evaluate the progress, and he anticipates it will be complete in a few weeks.
Scott Falkowski, Huber Heights assistant city manager, said that no violations will be issued to the resident for the animals because the Humane Society is actively involved. Falkowski did say there were other code violations on the site, such as debris on the property.
Huber Heights’ code does not have a limit of how many animals a resident can have.
The property falls under R-4 in the city’s zoning map. Agricultural animals are not permitted to be kept or maintained on properties that are under that designation, according to the city’s code.
(Dayton Daily News - Jan. 18, 2013)
