Rat-Infested Ohio Dog Rescue Shut Down

Clark County Ohio officials seized over 370 dogs from the no kill rescue named One More Chance owned by James Burgess. Authorities involved say that conditions inside the shelter are so horrendous that film crews were not allowed inside the facility.

Rescue dogs in this no kill shelter facility were being housed with very little light, no proper ventilation, and were surrounded by rats. Because the smell of urine and feces in the facility is so overwhelming, the property has been declared a public nuisance by the Clark County Health Department.

In a phone interview with Clark County Public Information Officer Anita Biles, she states "over 70 dead dogs and puppies were removed from the facility as of last night."

Many dogs taken out were missing eyes and limbs due to the rat infestation, neglect and over-crowding. Numerous veterinarians from surrounding counties have been called in to assess and treat over 370 dogs that were pulled from the rescue. Biles said that there are many cats still at the rescue facility which have not yet been removed.

As of today, the dogs are being housed and vetted at the Franklin County Fairgrounds located in Hilliard, Ohio. Once the dogs have been assessed by veterinarians and deemed healthy enough for adoption, they will be then be offered through the local ASPCA and Humane Society.

Biles states that they are in immediate need of donations, such as blankets, towels and thick sturdy dog toys that can not be easily destroyed. Donations can be dropped off at the ASPCA truck parked in front of the Franklin County Fairgrounds located at 4100 Columbia Street, Hilliard. Donations can also be dropped off at the Second Harvest Food Bank located in Clark County. Those donations will then be transported to the dogs at the Franklin County Fairgrounds.

James Burgess also owns another rescue facility in Piqua, Ohio, that was shut down several weeks ago.

An ASPCA representative reported that although the rescue owner started out with good intentions, it turned into a hoarding situation. Although Burgess was unable to properly care for the dogs himself, he refused to adopt any of the dogs out and kept taking in new dogs.