Ohio couple charged after hundreds of living and dead rats found inside home
Share and Follow


CANTON, Ohio (WJW) – An Ohio couple is facing animal cruelty charges after authorities discovered horrific conditions inside their home, which included hundreds of living and dead rats.

On Wednesday, Canton police and health inspectors executed search warrants at the home of 45-year-old Billy Jack Park after receiving a complaint about rats inside and outside the house.

“The condition of the house was very severe, you could smell the house from the street. There was multiple feet of feces, urine and hair,” Canton City Prosecutor Katie Erchick Gilbert said.

Investigators say they found hundreds of rats, both living and dead, three injured dogs, two turtles and two pet birds co-existing in the filthy environment.

Based on the cruel and inhumane conditions, police arrested Park. His girlfriend, 41-year-old Kristie Hatton, was already in jail, after being arrested in connection with a domestic incident at the home.

The Humane Society took custody of the traditional companion animals and the rats were taken by an animal welfare organization called Pipsqueakery.

“The rats were very dehydrated and had visible injuries and were not in very good shape, so they will rehab them all and then adopt them out,” said Erchick Gilbert.

Billy Jack Park and Kristie Hatton are now facing animal abuse charges, which include allegations that they violated Goddard’s Law, the statute named after legendary FOX 8 Meteorologist Dick Goddard.

They face seven felony counts for the mistreatment of the dogs, turtles and birds, and prosecutors are trying to determine if the rats that the two suspects considered pets will also be covered by Goddard’s Law.

“By having these animals, these pets in these conditions, you are causing serious physical harm to your animal and you can’t do that,” said Gilbert.

During the search of the home, authorities also found the remains of dead animals in jars of formaldehyde.

They also discovered human bones in a box in a bedroom but have determined there was no foul play involved because one of the residents purchased the remains.

“Apparently and I did not know this until this week, you can purchase on the internet human bones. It is not illegal to do so, at least in the state of Ohio,” said Gilbert.

Park and Hatton are being held in the Stark County jail, and we are told additional charges in the case are likely.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like

Minneapolis Ambush: ICE Officer Involved in Shooting Incident, DHS Reports

A recent incident in Minneapolis saw an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)…

NASA Successfully Conducts First Medical Evacuation, Returning Four Astronauts to Earth

An astronaut requiring medical attention has left the International Space Station (ISS)…

Justice Served: Man Found Guilty in 2022 Fentanyl Overdose Murder Case

In a significant legal development in Jonesborough, Tennessee, a jury has found…

Georgia Southern Men’s Basketball: Defying Preseason Odds with Unstoppable Momentum

STATESBORO, Ga. — Although Georgia Southern stumbled on Saturday, the team has…

Simple Solutions to Keep Your Home Cozy and Cut Heating Costs This Winter

As the chill of the season sets in, cozy socks become a…

Israel Recognizes Charlie Kirk’s Efforts in Combatting Antisemitism with Prestigious Award

JERUSALEM – In a tribute to his efforts against antisemitism, Israel is…

Trump Insists U.S. Ownership of Greenland is Non-Negotiable

NUUK, Greenland (AP) — On Wednesday, President Donald Trump declared that NATO…

University of Illinois Set to Reveal Transformative Plans for Iconic Ice Arena’s Future

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The University of Illinois Campus Recreation has reached a…