Animal shelter inspections not required in Ohio

Local officials said the recent removal of more than 650 dogs and cats from rescue shelters in Huber Heights, Bethel Twp. and Piqua because of poor living conditions and neglect highlight a loophole in Ohio law that does not require shelters to be inspected.

Animal advocates and officials said that even shelter operators with the best intentions can accept too many animals and become overwhelmed, which can result in the animals suffering serious neglect.

“Other states have some

stringent inspection requirements,”

said Mark Kumpf, director of the Montgomery County Animal Resource Center.

“We don’t have those here in Ohio.”

In another neglect case, a few of the 50 exotic birds found at a home in Troy are being cared for on the property by the Miami County Humane Society. Officials said charges could result from their ongoing investigation…more

“People won’t use animal control or the Humane Society services because they put the animals down,” said Mark Madsen, owner of the Spokane address. “Somebody has got to do something, or where will they go?”

DDN photo by Chris Griffith

HUBER HEIGHTS — About 130 cats and dogs were taken from the Circle of Love animal rescue shelter, 6721 Spokane Drive, after officers with the Montgomery County Animal Shelter served an animal-neglect search warrant Wednesday morning.

“Some of the animals have communicable diseases which may pose a threat to other animals, but not to humans,” said Mark Kumpf, director of the Montgomery County Animal Resource Center…

…Kumpf said no charges have been filed against the homeowner, but the county will work to declare the home a public nuisance, which would give Circle of Love a week to clean the home.

Kumpf said the animals will remain at the Montgomery County Animal Resource Center for continued evaluation, and their ultimate fate is unclear…more