Hundreds of animals removed from Ohio man's house

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Humane society members wearing protective masks removed nearly 300 animals including pigeons, chickens and rabbits from an Ohio man's reeking house last week.

Most of the animals are expected to survive including some that were sick, Sheila Marquis, an officer with the Humane Society of Dayton, Ohio, told Reuters on Saturday.

Workers on Thursday took away 60 pigeons, chickens and roosters from the house in Huber Heights, a suburb of Dayton. They returned the following day for 223 animals including 100 pigeons and 30 rabbits.

The sheer number of pigeons, which can carry airborne diseases, created a health hazard inside the house, Marquis said.

Authorities were tipped off by complaints about a stench coming from the property.

The animals' owner, who has not been identified, was very cooperative and knowledgeable about the birds, which included homing pigeons, Marquis said.

She said she thinks he just got overwhelmed taking care of so many animals.

"He told us he took some animals from other people and other pigeon organisations. That's how the cycle happens. He kept getting more birds and building more cages," Marquis said.

The man will be allowed to keep two dogs and some cats living in the house.

There was no word on whether he will be charged with animal neglect or abuse, a misdemeanour for the first offence in Ohio. Huber Heights has a ban on farm animals but does not limit the number of pets residents can own.