Humane office is rehabilitating more than 60 exotic birds found in home

Owner has a week to ‘make effort’ to clean home where 60 birds lived, officer said.

Contributed photo/Workers from the Dayton South Veterinary Clinic took photos of the home at 2063 West Ohio Route 55 in Troy this week where they said the home's owner was hoarding about 50 to 90 exotic birds. The workers said they found as many as 30 dead birds in the home that was covered in feces and raw peanuts.

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By Nancy Bowman, Contributing Writer Updated 11:55 PM Monday, August 8, 2011

UNION TWP., Miami County — The county’s humane officer said Monday she’s feeding, watering and monitoring exotic birds at a rural property while investigating complaints against the owner.

The officer, Sharon Karns, said Douglas Ratcliff has until next Monday “to try to make the effort to see if he could get it cleaned up and get things in order and up to standards.”

He was given two weeks to take action on Aug. 1, she said.

Animal rights groups last weekend said they were asked to rescue as many as 60 exotic birds living in a house and barn at 4063 W. Ohio 55 in Troy.

Daniel Brauer of Dayton South Veterinary Clinic took 10 birds including Macaws, Cockatoos and African Grey parrots from the home. Brauer said the birds were removed with Ratcliff’s permission. Ratcliff said they were stolen.

Brauer’s office has a document Ratcliff signed that grants permission to remove the 10 birds because they were starving and in need of medical treatment. Ratcliff could not be reached Monday for comment.

Those who rescued the birds said feces and raw peanuts covered the floor of the house, which is not occupied by humans.

The rescuers also said there were as many as 30 dead birds in the house and evidence that birds were destroying each other.

Karns said she did have a number of the remaining birds, but it was “far less than reported.”

Kim Seitz of Troy, an officer with the Miami Valley Bird Club, said the club is providing food to Karns for the birds.

Jim Tinnell, veterinary technician for the Dayton South Veterinary Clinic, 3200 Wilmington Pike, said the clinic has been inundated with calls from people looking to help the 10 birds. He’s asking those who want to help to donate money, newspaper and towels.

The birds will be released to sanctuaries and will not be available for adoption.

Donations should be made to Dayton South Veterinary Clinic with a note “for rescue birds.”

Staff Writer Lucas Sullivan contributed to this story.

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