WEST CHESTER TOWNSHIP, Ohio -- Two people are facing multiple animal cruelty charges after dead and injured rats, reptiles and a cat were found in a West Chester Township house, according to the Butler County Sheriff”s Office.
The Journal-News reports county dog wardens were called Monday to a home in the 8900 block of Cincinnati-Dayton Road after the allegedly abandoned animals were located by the West Chester Police Department.
About 20 rats were dead, and several were in very poor or injured condition, according to the sheriff’s office.
During questioning, the owners admitted to not returning to the house for two weeks, according to the sheriff’s office. Dog wardens also removed 29 live rats, two leopard geckos, one tegu lizard, one red tail boa and one cat from the home.
Connor Krekeler and Lillian Sauter, both 19, are charged with five counts each of animal cruelty, a first-degree misdemeanor.
All of the live animals were surrendered by the owners to Animal Friends Humane Society.
“No matter how big or small, when you confine an animal and choose to neglect it, you will be charged accordingly,” Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones said.
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The Journal-News is a media partner of WCPO.
