Over 100 animals rescued from Ohio veterinarian’s property

As veterinarians began assessing animals, the severity of health issues quickly became evident.

Many animals were severely dehydrated, and some had upper respiratory illness, parasites and fur loss. Dental disease was rampant and likely made it painful for some animals to eat. “The dental issues…are some of the worst that I have ever seen,” says Kassi Bennett, case manager for animal crimes with our rescue team. “You could smell them before you saw them, like you could smell [the infections] coming from their mouth.”

Ear infections were also common. Some animals winced in pain when handlers lifted the flaps to examine them, Bennett notes, and pus and blood poured from their ears.

One parrot had a broken wing that had never properly healed. The guinea pigs suffered from a skin condition called urine scalding, caused by standing in their own waste for an extended period of time.

Even for experienced rescuers, the depth of suffering was shocking. “Overseeing the medical operations for the rescue team, I have seen a lot of terrible cases, but this population of animals is one of the worst,” says Allison Bundock, program manager of animal health with our rescue team. “The fact that the person who took ownership of these animals was privy to the knowledge of a veterinarian yet failed to alleviate their pain and distress is atrocious."

After the rescue, the team brought the animals to a temporary location to receive medical care. More than 25 animals received urgent surgeries, many of them for dental disease. The parrot with the broken wing had it amputated due to chronic pain.

It will take time for the animals to recover, but the team sees positive steps every day.

One senior cat named Ajax was underweight and “almost lifeless” because his rotted teeth made it difficult to eat, Bundock says. After two weeks of emergency veterinary care followed by surgery to extract his teeth, Ajax started gaining weight and warming up to people. He has a motorboat of a purr, Bundock says, and loves to head butt and snuggle with her.

As of press time, most of the animals have been placed with shelter and rescue partners for adoption.

Update: After the winter issue of All Animals magazine went to press, the defendant pled guilty to 26 counts of felony cruelty to a companion animal. In lieu of conviction, the defendant has been placed on diversion for a period of two years, during which time they cannot practice veterinary medicine or own animals, among other rules.