What started as a report of about 10 animals at a Westwood house turned into one of Hamilton County's largest animal seizures in recent memory, with officials pulling more than 150 dogs, cats, rats, chickens, geese, rabbits and even a bearded dragon from a single property. Investigators found clutter, debris and fecal matter in every room of the home, and animals living in conditions officials described as unlivable.
Hamilton County officials had initially been told the situation involved only about 10 animals, but interim Hamilton County chief dog warden Meaghan Colville said the reality was far larger, according to FOX19. Crews recovered more than 40 cats, six dogs, 50 rats, 30 chickens, 15 rabbits, geese and a bearded dragon from the property, and investigators were still working to capture the last of the animals — mostly cats — as of the report. Some animals needed fluids and electrolytes administered right at the scene.
Neighbor Mashiah Mathias told the station the smell from the home had lingered for months before the seizure took place. Inside, cages reportedly held hardly any food or water, and many of the animals were dealing with health problems including skin issues such as fleas and mites, along with upper respiratory infections.
Owners Described as Overwhelmed, Not Charged
Colville said the owners appeared to care about the animals but had become overwhelmed by the scale of what they were keeping. No criminal charges have been filed at this point, per the same report. Colville added that situations like this one are preventable and urged residents to report concerns early to help keep both animals and people safe.
Even if charges are eventually filed, Ohio law offers prosecutors a specific tool for cases involving severe animal neglect. Under Ohio Revised Code Section 959.131, known as Goddard's Law, knowingly causing serious physical harm or committing severe neglect against companion animals can be prosecuted as a fifth-degree felony on a first offense, according to the Ohio State Bar Association. The Ohio Supreme Court unanimously ruled in State v. Kyles in October 2024 that the statute applies to all dogs and cats regardless of whether they are owned pets, strays or feral animals, per the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office. Courts weighing such cases evaluate the physical condition and suffering of the animals rather than the owner's intent.
Animals Legally Stuck in Limbo
For now, none of the seized animals can be adopted while the investigation remains active. Ohio Revised Code Section 959.132 requires officers to serve written notice to an owner within 24 hours of a seizure, with a court hearing required within 10 days to establish temporary custody and any impoundment bond. That timeline means the more than 150 Westwood animals must stay under county care until a judge sorts out custody, even as the shelter system managing them is already stretched thin.
Cincinnati Animal CARE, the agency now evaluating and treating the seized animals, is currently at capacity. The organization has asked the public to donate supplies — particularly enclosures for smaller animals — and to foster or adopt pets not connected to the case, which frees up kennel space for the new arrivals.
A Shelter Already Stretched Thin
The timing compounds a capacity crisis that has plagued the agency for months. Cincinnati Animal CARE declared a Code Red emergency in June after housing 878 animals, including 459 dogs and 398 cats, with only 15 open dog kennels left system-wide — a strain Hoodline detailed in its report on the Code Red shelter emergency. The agency has taken in other troubling cases this summer too, including a suitcase of abandoned kittens dumped in a Cincinnati graveyard.
Cincinnati Animal CARE has served as Hamilton County's sole municipal shelter and dog warden service since taking over from SPCA Cincinnati in August 2020, ending that organization's 60-year run in the role. Since then, the agency has maintained a live release rate above 90%, facilitating more than 25,000 adoptions and caring for over 35,000 animals in total — a track record now being tested by the Westwood case landing on top of an already overcrowded system.
The seizure took place in Westwood, Cincinnati's largest neighborhood by both land area and population, spanning nearly six square miles and housing more than 30,000 residents, roughly a tenth of the city's total population. Anyone wanting to help can drop off supplies or inquire about fostering at Cincinnati Animal CARE's Northside facilities, at 3949 Colerain Avenue for dogs or 4210 Dane Avenue for dogs and cats.
