CANTON, Ohio — Hundreds of animals and human bones were pulled from a Canton home Wednesday after reports of animal cruelty, the Canton Police Department said.
Investigators said the conditions were deplorable when they went inside a house on Wertz Avenue and found human bones in a box, according to Canton City Prosecutor Katie Erchick Gilbert.
The prosecutor said the Stark County Coroner confirmed the bones to be human.
Jackie Godbey, executive director of the Stark County Humane Society, said a man at the house reportedly told investigators he ordered the bones over the internet.
Erchick Gilbert did not confirm an internet purchase but said, "He did make a statement that he came into possession of the bones."
Investigators don't have evidence connecting the bones to any crime, but the bones still need to be examined by a forensic expert.
A team of investigators, armed with a search warrant, converged on the home in white protective suits after getting a tip from an animal rescue group called the "Pipsqueakery," which was worried about the high number of rats in the house.
Over 250 living rats and 100 dead rats were found along with dogs, turtles and birds.
Canton Police said the home was filled with feces, urine, dirt and garbage.
The dogs were said to be in good health, but two of them were living in filthy conditions in the basement, Godbey said.
"The smell was overwhelming," Godbey said. "It was just covered in filth and feces and urine. You could see empty bags of trash."
The dogs are now at the Stark County Humane Society and the birds and turtles are with other rescue organizations.
Canton Police said the surviving rats were taken to shelters in Ohio and Indiana for treatment.
A man and woman who live at the rental property are now facing seven felony counts of animal cruelty, police said.
They appeared in Canton Municipal Court on Friday and are due back in court next week.
An order posted on the front door indicates the house must be repaired or demolished within 30 days.
