CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — A Chillicothe man has been arrested and charged with multiple offenses after police discovered a severely malnourished dog and unsanitary living conditions at his residence on Akron Street, according to the police report.
The incident unfolded on January 26 when officers responded to a complaint about animal neglect at 1026 Akron Street, the report claims. Upon arrival, officers observed a pit bull mix on the porch, which appeared extremely malnourished, with visible ribs and hip bones, police said. The dog had no food or water, and the porch was covered in feces and urine, emitting a strong odor. Officers contacted the Ross County Dog Warden, who seized the dog due to its condition, the report states.
Ongoing Neglect and Confiscation
According to the dog warden, the same dog had been part of an investigation two months earlier for similar neglect, officers noted. When the dog’s owner, John Parks, arrived at the scene, he claimed he had been feeding the dog scraps from his job at Taco Bell but admitted to not consistently leaving food or water for the animal, the report states. Parks was taken into custody and charged with animal cruelty, with his court date set for January 27, police said.
Further Investigations Uncover More Animals
Shortly after Parks was arrested, officers received an anonymous tip suggesting additional dogs were inside the home, according to the report. Upon returning, they found two small dogs that appeared to be in better condition, police said. Despite this, officers noted that Parks had lied earlier by denying the presence of any other animals. The two additional dogs were also taken into the custody of the Ross County Dog Warden. Parks was subsequently charged with obstructing official business for providing false information, the report claims.
Living Conditions and Traffic Violations
Officers also found a white Ford truck parked outside the residence with expired and fictitious plates, police said. Parks admitted he knew the plates were invalid and had left the vehicle parked for two days, the report states. The truck was impounded, and Parks received a traffic citation.
Inside the home, officers observed that while the living conditions for the two small dogs were relatively clean, there was still a noticeable odor of animal waste, which officers believed extended beyond the porch, the report notes. Parks stated he had lied about the other dogs because he wanted to keep them for his stepchild, according to the police.
Community Reaction and Next Steps
All of Parks’ dogs are now in the custody of the Ross County Dog Warden, ensuring their care while the case progresses, police said. Parks faces multiple charges, including animal cruelty, obstructing official business, and traffic violations, with court proceedings scheduled in Chillicothe Municipal Court.