Rescuers at an animal rights group in Ohio found more than 50 animals, including dogs, snakes and endangered turtles, living in a home in “the worst conditions they’ve ever seen.”
At least 52 animals, many of which appeared to need veterinary care, were removed from a home in Youngstown on Tuesday after residents passed out from carbon monoxide poisoning, according to a Facebook post from Animal Charity of Ohio.
“If [the rescuers] When they entered the home, what they saw was best described as a zoo,” the charity said in the Post. “Animals of various species everywhere are in deplorable conditions, all in need of urgent veterinary care.”
The nonprofit said fourteen of the animals were found dead. According to 21 News, within two hours, rescuers found eight dogs, four rabbits, three guinea pigs, two hedgehogs, two turkeys, two foxes, two ferrets and two raccoons believed to have rabies.
The rescue team — made up of members of the Animal Charity of Ohio, the Mahoning County Dog Warden and local emergency services — also found 15 fish and several exotic reptiles, including three endangered turtles, a turtle, a bearded dragon and two axolotls.
“There wasn’t a single animal that wasn’t in the dirt or feces,” Jane MacMurchy, operations director and humane agent for the Animal Charity of Ohio, told 21 News. “They have burns from urine and feces on their bellies and on their paws.”
The house has since been red tagged by Youngstown law enforcement officials due to the amount of animal excrement found inside.
“There are several violations of city ordinances that would consider it dangerous and dangerous for individuals to remain here,” said Youngstown housing and code enforcement officer Curtis Flaviani 21 messages.
Three days before the incident, the couple who lived in the house had been taken to hospital for carbon monoxide poisoning after using kerosene heaters indoors, 21 News reported, citing Flaviani, who added the house had no heating or water.
The Animal Charity of Ohio Facebook post has been shared hundreds of times, and many have shared their thoughts.
“Absolutely disgusting! That makes me sick! What kind of people do that to animals,” commented one user.
“I thought I’d stop being surprised when I saw these hoarding cases, but this one could take the cake. My mouth is on the floor,” said another.
The charity said charges are pending against the couple, although this has not been confirmed by local police.
news week has reached out to Animal Charity of Ohio and the Youngstown Police Department for comment.
