Inadequate animal care laws lead to neglect, official says

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PIQUA — More animals are at risk of neglect in Ohio because of antiquated laws that haven’t been updated in decades, according to the director of the Montgomery County Animal Resource Center.

In other states, a central office is charged with annual inspections of public and private animal shelters, but not in Ohio.

The regulatory gap leads to situations like the one in Piqua, where a private rescue shelter was shut down because of bad conditions, said Resource Center Director Mark Kumpf. Tougher regulation may stop problems before they become overwhelming, he added. Private rescue operations, often located in residential areas, fall into a regulatory gap.

Unless there is a complaint or a disaster — such as a fire — the private shelters go unregulated. The vagueness of state law, Kumpf said, creates a headache for municipalities.

“Sometimes owners can be adamant they are providing adequate care, even when confronted with piles of dead animals,” Kumpf said. “It can cost counties lots of money in litigation to pursue.”

Piqua said last week it wants One More Chance Rescue and Adoption at 125 Clark Ave., declared a nuisance and prohibited from ever operating in the city. The Piqua Health Department condemned the building and noted the canines lived in 51 crates with no bedding, inadequate food and water, no heat, no light and no signs of exercise. It had been open since September.

A complaint filed by the city listed Jeff Burgess of New Carlisle as the owner. The organization’s website states it is a nonprofit, independent, no-kill organization established in January 1999.

Eleven criminal charges — including nine related to cruelty to animals — were filed by the Piqua Health Department against Burgess, 56. One charge accuses him of failing to immunize 98 dogs against rabies, nine of the charges allege animal cruelty, and one charge alleges unsanitary conditions. A Miami County judge Friday granted custody of the 100 dogs to the city.

“We are definitely not guilty, I can assure you of that, by no way or means,” Burgess said Monday, adding that he operates another shelter outside of New Carlisle.

Kumpf said that in states like Virginia, where he worked for 16 years before coming to Ohio, shelters are inspected annually for water, proper cages, food storage, cleaning supplies and shelter temperature, among other things.

Dogs removed from the Piqua operation will be available for adoption at the Animal Resource Center. Call (937) 898-4457 for more information.

Contributor Nancy Bowman added information for this report.