Neighbors tipped off officials about the smell and noise coming from the house, where 45 dogs and 85 cats were found, said Cathy Petersen, communications director for Montgomery County.
Mike Sitchwah, one of the home’s neighbors, said he was amazed by the find.
“I walk every day, and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been chased by dogs,” he said.
Mark Madsen, owner of the shelter, denied the animals were being neglected. He said he and his wife take the animals and try to give them homes.
Circle of Love is a nonprofit group that has been incorporated with the state of Ohio since 2008 at the Spokane address. It adopts out around 200 animals a year, Madsen said .
The group had a commercial kennel license from the county, but Huber Heights code prohibits operating the kennel in a residential area. Because the house is in a neighborhood, the operation could only work administratively out of the house, said Jonathan Mendel, planning and zoning director for Huber Heights.
Connie James, president of Circle of Love, said she does not have another property to house the animals .
Kumpf said no charges have been filed against the homeowner, but the county will work to declare the home a public nuisance, which would give Circle of Love a week to clean the home.
Kumpf said the animals will remain at the Montgomery County Animal Resource Center for continued evaluation, and their ultimate fate is unclear.
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