CANTON ‒ Suspected human bones, plus 253 rats and other animals both dead and alive, have been removed from “deplorable conditions” inside a city home.
A 45-year-old man who lived in the house at 1028 Wertz Ave. SW is facing seven counts of prohibitions concerning companion animals, all fifth-degree felonies. He was booked into the Stark County Jail on Wednesday. He is scheduled to be arraigned Friday in Canton Municipal Court.
Harry Campbell, chief investigator at the Stark County Coroner’s Office, said Thursday that he does not know if the bones are connected to a homicide. He said they are believed to be from a human and appear to be quite old. He said the office may have the remains examined by a forensic anthropologist to determine whether it is possible to extract DNA.
The Canton police complaint against the suspect says he knowingly caused serious physical harm to three dogs, two birds and two turtles “by confining the animals in deplorable conditions. The residence was filled with hundreds of rats, feces, urine, dirt, garbage, clutter, deceased animal remains, and other contamination.”
Police received a complaint Tuesday about suspected animal cruelty occurring at the address.
Canton Law Director Jason Reese said search warrants were executed at the home on Wednesday by the police, building and health departments.
He did not have a tally of the total number of dead animals found inside, but an animal rescue group collected more than 100 deceased rats.
Law director: Multiple bags of dead rats found in Canton home
A total of 253 live rats were removed from a home at 1028 Wertz Ave. SW in Canton on Wednesday. Bones believed to be human were also found, as were three dogs, two birds, two turtles and more than 100 dead rats.
“There were multiple bags, bags of dead rats,” he said. They were the type of rats that are intentionally kept as pets, sometimes called ‘fancy rats,’ he said.
The live rats, and more than 100 dead ones, were removed from the home by The Pipsqueakery, an animal rescue organization in Bloomington, Indiana, and a representative of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
“They showed up with brand-new cages and food and medicine and bedding for the rats,” Reese said. “It was quite impressive to see this group go into action.
“The place was in absolute deplorable condition and we’re thankful for the individuals from not only our local humane society but the (Pipsqueakery) were very helpful in helping to remedy this situation and care for these animals.”
The Pipsqueakery plans to have the rats spayed, neutered, and made available for adoption after receiving veterinary care. A Thursday post on its Facebook page said nine rat pups had already been born to the animals it collected Wednesday.
The dogs and parakeets went to the Stark County Humane Society.
Two turtles, a common snapper and an African side-necked turtle, were taken by another rescue group, Herps Alive, of South Euclid.
Too many animals: Stark County Humane Society struggles with overcrowding
Jackie Godbey, executive director of the Stark County Humane Society, said she did not know the total number of dead animals removed from the home. A chicken, which still had feathers, was among those found.
Reese said a second person is expected to be charged. He said the suspect is already being held in jail on another matter.
Reach Nancy at 330-580-8382 or nancy.molnar@cantonrep.com.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Bones believed to be human, plus 253 rats, taken from Canton home
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