SPRINGFIELD — Local authorities removed 14 dogs from a May Street home Tuesday, June 1, where feces covered the floor and rats the size of squirrels roamed in and out of the house.

Chuck Chrislip, Clark County dog warden, said it was one of the worst homes he’s seen since he’s been on the job. Feces and animal urine covered the floor, and Chrislip said there were probably more than 20 rats running in and out of the house at 2738 May St. At times, the rats bounded down a short flight of stairs into the backyard, where they grabbed a piece of dog food and ran back into the house.

A pest control company was expected later in the afternoon to try to eliminate the rats.

Despite those conditions, Chrislip said the dogs appeared to be fairly healthy. Wayne Seitz, the dogs’ owner, received six citations from the dog warden’s office because the dogs were not licensed and needed shots. He declined to comment Tuesday afternoon.

The Clark County Sheriff’s Office also cited Seitz for two counts of prohibited nuisance acts because of the smell and the trash inside the home.

Chrislip said he received an initial complaint Friday, May 28, after an anonymous caller had tipped off deputies. He visited the home and noticed dogs in the backyard, along with flies covering the home’s windows. One window was opened slightly.

“I stuck my nose in there and the stench was terrible,” Chrislip said.

Rick Miller, a registered sanitarian with the Clark County Combined Health District, said the home will be declared uninhabitable. Miller said the owners will be ordered to remove the odor.

Of the 14 dogs that were recovered, Chrislip said the owner was allowed to keep three. However, they are not allowed back in the house.

Chrislip said it was an unfortunate situation, but he noted that the dogs’ owner was cooperative throughout the process.

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0355 or msanctis@coxohio.com.