CAMPBELL Starved animals are found in house

The smell prompted neighbors to call authorities.
CAMPBELL -- Wearing rubber gloves, Dave Nelson, Mahoning County humane officer, scooped three little furry bodies into a black plastic bag.
Then he gingerly lifted another cat, so near death it couldn't stand up, into a pet carrier and carefully placed it into his white van.
The animals Nelson removed from the back porch of a home at 254 Reed Ave. were among several suspected of being neglected by their owner, who police say is a woman who rented the property.
Nelson said the woman left at least two dogs and 10 cats without food or water. He said charges will be filed.
In addition to the four cats found on the back porch, Nelson said two more live cats were found inside, one in the basement and one upstairs. Several other cats, including six that are sick, were found outside.
Two dogs, a Rottweiler and a German shepherd mix, were tied in the back yard. All of the animals were without food or water and were noticeably thin.
Third call
The smell of death coming from the rear of the house prompted neighbors to notify authorities, the third time Humane Society officials had been called to the house in the past three months, Nelson said.
"I was here about a month and a half ago and about three months ago and posted notices on the door," he said. The woman had left her pets without food or water then too.
"I got a call back on those," Nelson said, "and everything was taken care of."
The live animals removed from the property will be evaluated and if they aren't too sick, may be put up for adoption, Nelson said.
Those that are too sick will be put down.
Firefighters forced open the front door to the home about 3:30 p.m. Monday after Nelson heard noises coming from inside the house.
kubik@vindy.com