The rescue of 367 dogs and 15 cats at a local animal shelter by the Human Society was spectacular by any standard. It seems to be a case of good intentions that got out of control.
Observers believe the operator was trying to rescue unwanted animals, but that conditions at the facility had diminished to an existence for the animals devoid of the kindness and attention a pet deserves.
Ohio law doesn’t do much more than call for animals to have food and water.
Clearly, there was little hope that that many dogs would find new homes.
It was finally determined that conditions at the One More Chance Rescue and Adoption facility on Lower Valley Pike were too bad to be allowed to continue. The animals were removed and the ones that can be saved will get a chance at being adopted.
The Humane Society has been concerned about the facility for some time, but were restrained by laws that don’t give them the tools to intervene in such situations.
Ohio should look at tougher laws like those in Michigan to provide a way to deal with such cases.
To have that many animals in need of rescue is certainly unusual, but officials say they have been seeing more cases of “animal hoarding.”
People who want to help animals but get overwhelmed with houses full of cats or dogs and can’t bring themselves to give them up have always been a problem.
But economic conditions have probably made the problem worse.
Dogs and cats have no ability to defend themselves from neglect.
Humans must do that, and a few new laws would help.