Scioto County deputies were called to West Portsmouth after a landlord said an evicted tenant left behind a house full of animals.
The call came from Washington Boulevard after the landlord reported that a former tenant had left behind multiple animals, including an estimated four or five dogs and four or five cats.
Deputies contacted the dog warden, but the sheriff’s log said there was no room at the shelter until Tuesday.
Dispatch also attempted to contact the humane agent but did not make contact.
When deputies checked the residence, they observed four dogs inside the home and seven or eight cats roaming around the residence.
Animal control declined to come to the home at that time, according to the log.
Deputies advised the landlord to contact the evicted tenant and ask her to retrieve the animals. He was also advised to contact the humane agent or dog warden during normal business hours.
No charges were listed in the information provided.
Abandoning animals after an eviction can quickly become more than a landlord problem. Dogs and cats left behind may run out of food and water, damage the property, get sick, or create sanitation issues.
It also creates a hard situation for landlords, deputies, animal control, and shelters when there is nowhere immediately available to take the animals.
In this case, deputies documented the complaint and advised the landlord on the next steps.
