NAPOLEON, Ohio (WTVG) – Henry County officials said it’s one of the toughest animal cases they’ve ever seen.
“It’s difficult for the Humane Society here in town to all of a sudden be in charge of 80 dogs,” said Henry County Prosecutor Gwen Howe-Gebers.
The prosecutor said 65-year-old dog owner Marty Eis allegedly had three litters of Doberman puppies and a mix of grown adult Dobermans in his home, totaling 80 dogs.
Officers with the Henry County Sheriff’s Office said Eis’ whole house was a makeshift kennel with stacked wire dog crates. In a press release, officers noted the floor was covered in soiled wood chips, causing the home to smell like feces and urine.
“We received information from a veterinarian in Toledo,” said Howe-Gebers.
The prosecutor said days before the dogs were taken, Eis took some of the Dobermans to get checked out.
“My understanding is the veterinarian offered some assistance, he said no, I’ve got it under control, took them back home,” Howe-Gebers said.
That’s when the vet filed a report with the Humane Society. On Thursday, June 5, authorities prepared a search warrant for Eis’ home. That search warrant was signed by a judge on Friday, June 6, and executed later that day.
Based on what officials found, all dogs were taken from the home and Eis was charged with five counts of cruelty to companion animals, a fifth-degree felony.
On Monday, a judge set his bond at set at $100,000, no 10%.
Some residents said it is about time after what they described as years of complaints.
“I mean, there were many occasions that we’ve reached out to the dog warden,” said Tammy Baker, a Liberty Center resident.
Records show Eis has court cases related to barking or confined dogs that stretch back to the 1990s.
The prosecutor said some people who filed a complaint did not want to sign off, making it difficult to move forward.
“When they make a complaint to a Humane Agent or the Dog Warden, they ask you to sign off on that complaint,” Howe-Gebers said. “There were some that did not want to do that because they were concerned for their well-being.”
Howe-Gebers said that officers did recently reach out to Eis.
“Last year he was given an opportunity to change things, make things better, and obviously he did not,” Howe-Gebers said.
No charges were filed in that incident. The prosecutor did not immediately have additional information.
Meanwhile, all 80 dogs are now with various rescues and shelters. One rescue employee told 13 Action News that the dogs they took in were sweet but in need of some care.
The Henry County Humane Society director said it has been a tough week, but thanks to humane agents, staff, volunteers, the Henry County Sheriff’s Department, Napoleon Veterinary Clinic, and rescues, they are getting through it.
“With a case this large, it was amazing to see rescues helping each other and to see all the community support,” wrote Henry County Humane Society Director Krystyll Harden. “In rescue, we get to see the worst in people, but we also get to witness how amazing and giving people can be and that’s what keeps us going and helps us push through these tough situations. We appreciate all the support.”
If people would like to help the dogs affected, they can contact the Henry County Humane Society.
“Our plea to the community on behalf of the Humane Society is any type of donation, whether it’s food, monetary, help with the dogs that are still there,” said Howe-Gebers.
Online records show that Eis labeled himself as a dog breeder who has been raising Dobermans for more than 45 years.
The Henry County Prosecutor said officials are still investigating and more charges could be filed against Eis.
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