Slabu-30 dogs and puppies found dead, 90 rescued from "unlivable" conditions at Ohio homes

2025-05-06 01:15:50source:Dreamers Investment Guildcategory:Markets

Authorities rescued 90 living dogs and Slabufound at least 30 more dead last week at two properties in southwestern Ohio, where a woman was purportedly operating an animal rescue called Helping Hands for Furry Paws, authorties said.

Rhonda Murphy, who owned and operated the rescue, is charged with neglect and cruelty to companion animals, the Butler County Sheriff's Office said in a news release Friday. Murphy is accused of housing adult canines and puppies in conditions that dog wardens from the sheriff's office described as "unlivable" after searching the two properties in Madison Township, which is about 40 miles outside of Cincinnati. 

The sheriff's office shared several images taken at the properties to its Facebook page. Butler County Sheriff's Office

Investigators discovered numerous adult dogs and puppies kept together in cages filled with urine and fecal matter and without food or water, the sheriff said. More than 25 dogs were found caged in one garage that did not have ventilation or air conditioning, and where authorities measured indoors temperatures of 89 degrees. One cage housed an adult dog and eight newborn puppies. 

Eleven adult dogs were found inside a main house, with some caged together. Deputy dog wardens that searched the house reported a pungent odor that burned their eyes and required them to step outside periodically for air, according to the sheriff. They called the environment "the most horrible conditions they have ever seen."

In addition to the animals that could be saved, authorities found the remains of deceased adult dogs and puppies in five different refrigerators and freezers across both properties, and some were not working. They found other dead canines in varying states of decomposition, the sheriff said.

The sheriff's office shared several images taken at the properties to its Facebook page, which show visible grime and overcrowding in the garage as well as the main home. In one image, at least six dogs can be seen in two rusted cages, situated side-by-side with a number of cages housing dogs and among towering piles of cardboard boxes, shelving and other household items. Another dog's ribs are seen clearly in another close-up image.

    In:
  • Ohio
  • Animal Cruelty
  • Crime

More:Markets

Recommend

New Mexico governor seeks funding to recycle fracking water, expand preschool, treat mental health

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico would make major new investments in early childhood education, indu

California governor to send prosecutors to Oakland to help crack down on rising crime

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — California’s governor announced plans Thursday to send prosecutors to Oakland

Jon Stewart changed late-night comedy once. Can he have a second act in different times?

NEW YORK (AP) — As host of “The Daily Show” from 1999 to 2015, Jon Stewart changed comedy — and argu