SPRINGFIELD — Two Springfield residents face charges after Clark County Humane Society officials and Clark County Sheriff’s deputies removed eight cats, five dogs, two ferrets, two rats and a parakeet from a home at 317 S. Shaffer St. Wednesday afternoon, April 21.

Deputy David Burch, Clark County Sheriff’s Office environment officer, was called to the home to investigate an illegal dumping incident about 3 p.m.

“The neighbor thought they were dumping trash behind his home,” Burch said.

When a woman opened the door, Burch said he could smell animal waste and saw dogs that appeared to be trying to get out of the home.

Burch then contacted the Humane Society of Clark County and the health department.

The deputy said the man and woman who live in the house are facing two counts each of prohibited nuisance acts charges. Their identities were not released.

The woman has a warrant out of Clark County on unknown charges.

Humane Society Director Jimmy Straley said he believes the same people had other problems with animals at a different address; other staff said they had to visit the same residence three times last year.

Straley called the scene inside the home “a trash situation;” garbage and feces were reportedly strewn about the house.

The rancid smell of waste and ammonia wafted out as onlookers gathered on the sidewalk.

Cries of “Oh my goodness!” and “Look at that!” rose from the crowd while humane society personnel loaded up the animals.

“(The woman) did release the animals to us,” Straley said.

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0374 or boutten@coxohio.com.