You choose, we deliver
If you are interested in this story, you might be interested in others from The Journal Gazette. Go to www.journalgazette.net/newsletter and pick the subjects you care most about. We'll deliver your customized daily news report at 3 a.m. Fort Wayne time, right to your email.

Ohio

  • Northwest Ohio women's aid agency to close
    TOLEDO, Ohio – A faith-based agency in northwest Ohio is preparing to close its doors next month after 14 years of helping poor single mothers.
  • Juvenile prison in Ohio sees crisis end
    An Ohio juvenile detention center considered in crisis less than a year ago due to gang violence and other problems has become a safe and well-managed facility, according to a court-appointed monitor who tempered praise for the changes with caution
  • Motorcyclist dies in crash with truck
    An Ohio man died Friday when his motorcycle collided with a truck in Mercer County, the county sheriff said today.
Advertisement
Associated Press
Dog warden David Jones carries an iguana to safety after a home caught fire in Mount Healthy, Ohio. At least 60 animals were rescued.

60 pets rescued from fire in Ohio

– Several dozen animals have found temporary shelter after Ohio firefighters rescued at least 60 pets from a house fire in a Cincinnati suburb.

Authorities responding to the Thursday morning fire found a menagerie of about a dozen snakes, 18 rats, a hedgehog, a chinchilla, birds, rabbits and others creatures. Most of the animals survived the fire at the Mount Healthy home, although one bearded dragon iguana and two cats died.

Pet owner Nikki Hagaman, who volunteers at The Animal House pet store that also rescues animals, was not at home when the fire broke out. She said she had at least 77 pets.

“I can’t say no,” she told the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Authorities couldn’t say Friday the exact number of animals rescued but Harold Dates of SPCA Cincinnati put the number at more than 60. He said the animals were well cared for but a “little shaken up.” He said they went to rescue groups, volunteers or friends.

Many of the rescued pets were taken to the pet store after the fire.

Hagaman said a heat bulb used to keep her reptiles warm may have started the fire.

Adam Charles took in almost three dozen animals, including ferrets, guinea pigs and rats. Charles said the animals were adjusting to their new surroundings. He said one of the rats has a broken back and the ferrets were coughing and sneezing from inhaling too much smoke.