SPRINGFIELD — Clark County officials on Tuesday found 76 dead dogs at a local shelter that was declared a public nuisance by the Clark County Combined Health District last week.

The dogs, along with 367 that are alive, had been housed in hog barns at One More Chance Rescue and Adoption, 8393 Lower Valley Pike. Fifteen cats were also found.

The Health District declared the shelter a public nuisance after an investigation revealed deteriorating conditions for the animals, including a rat infestation, large amounts of garbage, feces and urine and poor air quality.

The Columbus Dispatch reported Tuesday that the dogs that were taken from One More Chance have been moved to a hog barn at the Richwood Fairgrounds in northern Union County in central Ohio.

The cause or causes of the animals’ death is unknown, and charges could be filed against shelter operator Jeff Burgess pending further investigation, officials said.

“The investigation is still open. We will follow through with it,” said Clark County Humane Society Executive Director James Straley.

Recently, Piqua authorities confiscated 100 dogs at a shelter Burgess, 56, operated in that city.

Eleven criminal charges — including nine related to cruelty to animals — were filed by the Piqua Health Department against him.

The dogs, which are in varying degrees of health, will have their needs assessed at the Union County location, said Anita Biles, health educator for the Clark County Combined Health District.

“The goal is to have them removed to a temporary housing unit so we can provide better care for the animals,” she said.

The transfer is a joint effort by the Health District and the Clark County Humane Society, with the backing of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Last week, the Health District gave shelter operator Jeff Burgess 28 days to clean up the property.

Clark County officials initially arranged to transport the animals to the Madison County Fairgrounds; however, logistical and communication problems derailed that plan, Biles said.

Among those problems were zoning and property use issues, said Steve Hume, London city safety and service director.

“(The fairgrounds) is located in the city of London, and (housing the dogs there is) not permitted,” he said.

Although the property is host to livestock during the run of the Madison County Fair, the purpose in that case is a one-week exhibition, much different than housing dogs at the site, Hume said.

“This clearly would be setting up a kennel, and that’s a whole different ball game,” he said.

After they’re moved to Union County, officials hope to have the animals placed in permanent facilities in the next few weeks, Biles said.

The Lower Valley Pike shelter first came under the Health District’s scrutiny in December 2007.

A Clark County Humane Society Rescue Fund has been set up for the animals.

Cash or check donations can be made at any Security National Bank.