The smell hit first.
Then came the horrifying sight: 80 emaciated Dobermans stacked in wire crates, soaked in filth, and six tiny corpses rotting in the corner.
Welcome to 2921 Township Road T3 — where authorities say the entire house had been converted into a makeshift kennel of horrors. On Friday, June 6, 2025, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office, with help from the Dog Warden and animal rescue groups, executed a search warrant after disturbing reports of sick puppies, unsanitary conditions, and dead dogs on the property.
And what they found was beyond belief.
Inside the home, the stench of urine and feces was overwhelming. Floors were covered in soiled wood chips, and every room was jammed with wire cages stacked like shipping containers. A veterinarian on site confirmed what rescuers feared: all the dogs were in poor health.
One man, Marty Eis, was taken into custody and charged with fifth-degree felony Cruelty to Companion Animals. Additional charges are expected.
The rescued dogs are now being cared for by surrounding shelters and rescue groups. But the case has taken a toll on the already overburdened Henry County Humane Society, which isn’t government-funded and was already near full capacity before the rescue.
“This is one of the toughest humane cases our county has ever seen,” the shelter said in a statement, thanking neighboring clinics and volunteers who rushed in to help.
Two Horror Stories Closer to Home in Scioto County
Sadly, this isn’t an isolated case.
Back in 2022, Scioto County Daily News covered the jaw-dropping arrest of Samantha Damron, a veterinary technician no less, who was found napping next to the decomposing corpses of 20 dead dogs inside a Sycamore Street home in Portsmouth. Officers, who responded after neighbors complained about the unbearable stench, found 28 more living dogs barely clinging to life. The scene was so revolting, even hardened cops got physically ill.
Damron, who had been publicly shaming other pet owners on social media, was sentenced to 75 days in jail and banned from owning animals.
Then in 2023, a Scioto County grand jury indicted Joyce Nixon, 69, and her daughter Jamie Nixon, 45, after over 100 dead animals were discovered stuffed in plastic totes in a feces-filled house on Scioto Trail. Police also rescued 35 living animals from the hellhole, where officials say the women had been hoarding animals for years — despite a previous bust in 2009 when dozens of dead and living dogs were found in similar conditions in West Union.
What To Do If You Suspect Animal Hoarding
These cases serve as a grim reminder that animal hoarding isn’t just cruelty — it’s a public health hazard. But how can you help if you suspect something sinister happening next door?
Here’s what to do:
🐾 Watch for signs: Constant barking, foul odors, visible filth, and lots of animals coming and going are all red flags.
📷 Document what you see and smell: Take note of dates, times, and specific concerns.
📞 Report it: Contact your local animal control or sheriff’s department. In emergencies, call 911.
🚫 Do NOT confront the hoarder directly: Many hoarders suffer from mental health issues and may become hostile or defensive.
🤝 Support your shelters: Cases like these flood shelters with animals, and they rely on donations, fosters, and volunteers to help.
