Hoarding 20 cats, 7 dogs Liverpool, OH (US) Incident Date: Sunday, Jun 4, 2006 County: Columbiana Local Map: available Disposition: Alleged Case Images: 3 files available Alleged: Wayne Hickman Case Updates: 3 update(s) available

Case ID: 8840 Classification: Hoarding, Neglect / Abandonment Animal: cat, dog (non pit-bull) View more cases in OH (US) Login to Watch this Case

A total of 28 animal cruelty charges were filed in Municipal Court on June 6 against an Erie Street, East End man.

Columbiana County Humane Society Officer Joseph Rayl said each charge represents cruelty to one animal.

Rayl explained that he received a telephone call about conditions at 1303 Erie St. two days before, but was unable to respond until Sunday.

When he arrived at the home, he was met by the landlord. He said they went to the back of the house where there are sliding glass doors, and could see inside the living room and into the kitchen.

The landlord told Rayl he had been inside once, but he would not go back in. He told Rayl he would stand outside beside the doors.

Looking inside, Rayl said he could see animal feces everywhere. One dog, a white puppy, was lying in the mess. Other puppies were jumping on it, and it never moved. Rayl said he could see it was breathing, but that it was wheezing and apparently fighting for its life.

While Rayl was deciding whether to enter, Brenda Austin of the Humane Society arrived. It was then determined they should remove the animal, and the plan at that time was to remove only that one.

However, after entering the home and searching the premises, it was determined all of the animals needed to be removed for their safety.

The white puppy was placed in a carrier and taken out to get fresh air. It only lived about a half hour longer.

Rayl said the odor was so strong, they used Vapor-rub both inside and underneath their noses. Breathing masks were donned.

"You couldn't see the floor, feces was caked in piles everywhere. Garbage bags were filled with it," said Rayl, who added that he believes there may have been some dead animals in one or more of the garbage bags.

Conditions in the upstairs were just as bad. This was where they found the cats. They had found five other puppies and the mother downstairs. A black poodle also had been in the house, but the landlord said when he had opened the door the day before, the black poodle ran out. No one was sure where it went.

The cats, which were shut in a room so they could not get in or out, were given drinks of water. There appeared to be no food or water anywhere in any of the rooms.

Several other members of the Humane Society arrived with carriers. Rayl said two more animals were judged to be quite ill. The animals were mangy and had skin sores.

The animals were taken to various locations. Rayl said Humane Society personnel know where they are. He just knew they had been taken to homes, and that some may have been taken to a veterinary service for examinations.

A description of the renter of the property had been given to Rayl, along with a description of his car. While they were removing the animals, he observed a car approaching and said it fit the description.

A neighbor then stated, "There he is."

Rayl shouted for the driver to stop, but though he slowed, he continued past the house and drove away. Rayl said he was not sure if the man heard him or not. Rayl then got into the Humane Society truck and attempted to catch the man, but lost him.

This was the first major case for Rayl since being named humane officer May 1.

Rayl said he had to remove two pit bulls from homes in East Liverpool , but he never expected to have a case such as he was in charge of Sunday.

Austin of the Humane Society said she does not recall handling anything this severe before. She said that the floors were so dirty with animal waste that they were slippery, and she could hear her shoes "squishing" as she walked.

Another member of the Humane Society said she has four of the cats at her home, and she said she has never seen animals so mistreated. She has been a volunteer with the Society six months, but in that time, has never seen anything near this case.

The name of the owner of the animals will be released today when court charges have been filed.

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References

	WTOV9  - June 4, 2006
	The Review
	WTOV - June 5, 2006

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