Sentenced: Ohio Couple Charged After Hundreds Of Living & Dead Rats Found In Multiple Feet Of Feces, Urine & Hair Filled Home

[Sugar Cookie]

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.

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

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https://www.conchovalleyhomepage.com/news/ohio-couple-charged-after-hundreds-of-living-and-dead-rats-found-inside-home/?nxsparam=10

 

[DamagedGoods]

Human remains found in Canton filthy home with dead and alive animals; 2 people arrested

"It was probably one of the worse hoarding situations," said Executive Director of the Stark County Humane Society Jackie Godbey.

www.cleveland19.com

They also found human bones

If you look up The PIpsqueakery on Facebook, they've made a lot of posts about this, mostly concerning the rats, but with some additional details and photos, should you want to see them. (They also have numerous other cute critters that they rescue and rehab.)

 

[BuffettGirl]

I should have known better than to look at this story after two days of the tummy flu...

 

[Pinwheel]

It looks like they sprayed him off before taking the picture.

 

[Aedia]

I feel like any time someone calls a creature their pet and they cage them...it should fall under the umbrella of animal abuse when they're neglected! Even if it is a wild rodent or anything else you trapped and caged. The second you decide it isn't a pest but a pet and take away it's ability to care for itself, you should be held legally responsible for its wellbeing.

It looks like they sprayed him off before taking the picture.

Would you blame them? That house looks like if it had a soul it would be willing to commit self immolation to cleanse it. My goodness.

 

[DamagedGoods]

I feel like any time someone calls a creature their pet and they cage them...it should fall under the umbrella of animal abuse when they're neglected! Even if it is a wild rodent or anything else you trapped and caged. The second you decide it isn't a pest but a pet and take away it's ability to care for itself, you should be held legally responsible for its wellbeing.

Agreed, but these rats at least, I'm 99% sure are domesticated rats, not wild ones. I had one when I was little and it was the sweetest thing.

Also... Is Billy Jack Durow the same person as Billy Jack Park??

 

[Sugar Cookie]

June 23, 2025

The Canton couple indicted on felony-five companion animal cruelty charges while living in a “pet rat” house will not do any more jail time.

45-year-old Billy Jack Park and 41-year-old Kristie Hatton entered guilty pleas to seven misdemeanor-level cruelty charges each.

They were sentenced to time served.

The pair is to have no contact with one another and have no pets.

No Additional Jail Time for 'Rat House' Couple - News-Talk 1480 WHBC

CANTON, Ohio (News Talk 1480 WHBC) – The Canton couple indicted on felony-five companion animal cruelty charges...

www.whbc.com