'Farmyard of horrors' found in Brown County

BROWN COUNTY, OH (FOX19) - Brown County officials are describing their latest animal cruelty case as a "farmyard of horrors."

Deputy Dog Warden Barb Ashmore said there were 139 animals stuffed into the backyard of a Fayetteville home.

Ashmore said officials found dogs, goats, chickens, sheep and rabbits crammed into a small space. She said an anonymous neighbor who was disturbed by the stench called them with concerns.

Volunteers and leaders with the Brown County Humane Society and the Brown County Animal Shelter went to the house to investigate, and they said they were shocked by what they found.

"It was just crazy," Renee Bates, with the Humane Society said. "It was just crazy town. I don't even know how else to put it."

Ashmore said some of the animals they found at the home were already dead. She said the animals that had survived were barely holding on because they were living in filth with no room to move around.

"Pen after pen after pen of neglected animals, with no food and water," Bates said.

"No animal should have to go through that," Ashmore said.

Ashmore is still trying to understand how and why the owner of the animals allowed it to happen.

"His explanation was he was going to try to feed his family on these farm animals," Ashmore said.

For two days, volunteers and officials pulled the animals out, one by one. They are now all in foster care.

"They started running and jumping through the air," Ashmore said. "They were happy to be able to stretch their legs."

The hope is that they'll all find new homes.

"It's just been really rewarding getting them out of that," Bates said.

Ashmore said the owner of the animals did surrender them to officials, so he is not facing charges right now. However, Ashmore said they are still investigating the case.

By Tuesday afternoon, all of the goats, sheep and chickens had been adopted, according to the dog warden's office. The animals won't be released to their new homes until they're fully nursed back to health.

The deputy dog warden said this major case drained many financial resources for their small budget, so they are continuing to ask for donations to help cover the animals' veterinary care. If you'd like to donate, please contact the Brown County Humane Society or the Brown County Animal Shelter.

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