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Case #14360 Rating: 1.0 out of 5
Hoarding - owners cited and fined
Sheffield Lake, OH (US)Incident Date: Saturday, May 1, 1999
County: Lorain
Charges: Summary
Disposition: Civil penalty imposed
Defendants/Suspects:
» Ron Gura
» Brenda Greene
It has been four years since Debbie and Rick Franklin started complaining about the house next door having too many cats and the horrible odor coming from the home of cat owners Ron Gura and Brenda Green. The Franklin's home is less than 12 feet from the house that has anywhere from 17 to 50 cats. It depends on who you talk to how many cats are said to be in the home.
Sheffield Lake plans on passing legislation to enforce the number of cats to four per household. The officials have already stated if the law passes, it will be very difficult to enforce.
Debbie Franklin said, "I've been complaining for four years. I haven't been able to use my backyard because of the odor."
In May a citation was issued against cat owners Ron Gura and Brenda Green and their landlord, Rick Pietrick, of Westlake. They were all cited under a nuisance ordinance for causing an odor problem.
The couple has until July 7 to get rid of all of their cats. When Mayor Gary Mingee continued to receive complaints and his service director confirmed the cats were still there, Gura and Greene were cited in court on a contempt charge.
Mayor Mingee fined Gura and Greene $147 and gave them two days to get rid of the remaining cats. Gura said they had four cats and would comply with the order. They also plan to move in September and are looking for a farm.
Pietrick said he wasn't aware his tenants had so many cats and he promised to clean up the house. The landlord said he would have to do extensive work after Gura and Greene move off his property.
Mark Smith, Lorain Health Department sanitarian inspected the home after police cited the family. Smith said, "They had more than 30 cats when we were there. I think she was taking in strays." The cats appeared to be well fed and cared for but the place smelled.
A letter was sent by Mark Smith citing an Ohio Revised Code statute that forbids the keeping of a smelly building or animals. He asked the family to do what was necessary to alleviate the odor problem, such as cleaning of the home, litter boxes and around the outside of the home frequently.
Bill Gardner, Sheffield Lake Service Director said on one inspection more than 17 cats were spotted on the porch. On another inspection, a police officer who went to the home said there were more than 50 cats in the house.
Mayor Mingee said Gura and Greene will have to comply with the order. If they failed to comply, he would see them in court again. References« OH State Animal Cruelty Map
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