ASHLAND — Ashland County sheriff deputies found three dead dogs and 25 others being held in feces-laden cages in a searing house on Monday, a news release stated.
The search was prompted by a call from the Ashland County Humane Society earlier in the day.
“(The Humane Society) reported that they had received a call that a large number of dogs were being held in a house on County Road 681 in Sullivan Township and were not being cared for properly,” according to the release.
Deputies, volunteers and Dr. Kristine Lafever — a veterinarian at Claremont Veterinary Clinic — responded and found the dead dogs and and caged dogs, along with a “large amount” of feces in the cages.
“They reported that the smell of urine and feces was horrible throughout the house. The temperature was above 90 degrees in most of the house,” the release stated.
The surviving dogs were transported to Ashland County-West Holmes Career Center’s JVS, where they will undergo further examination by Lafever.
The sheriff’s office expects criminal charges to be filed after Lafever’s assessment and a review of the case by an attorney.
Chief Deputy David Blake was not immediately available for comment.
