CHILLICOTHE, OH — A local man was arrested for animal cruelty after authorities discovered a severely malnourished dog at his home on Akron Street on January 25, 2025.
Officers responded to a complaint about a malnourished dog at 1026 Akron Street. Upon arriving, they found a pit bull mix in poor condition, with its ribs, hip bones, and other bones visible due to extreme malnourishment. The dog, which had no food or water, was immediately seized by the Dog Warden and taken to the Humane Society for further care.
The dog’s owner, identified as John Parks, arrived at the scene and was informed of the situation. Parks admitted to feeding the dog leftover food from Taco Bell but explained that he had been unable to properly care for it. He also stated that he had no other dogs at the property, but officers discovered two additional dogs inside the house after being contacted by an anonymous caller. The Dog Warden returned to collect the other dogs.
Further investigation revealed that Parks had previously been contacted about the dog’s condition and had failed to improve its care. Officers also noted a strong odor of urine and feces around the front porch of the home, indicating poor living conditions. Additionally, Parks was found to have expired and fictitious vehicle plates on a white Ford truck parked at the property.
Parks was arrested and charged with animal cruelty and obstructing official business after lying to authorities about the presence of other animals in the home. He was transported to the Ross County Jail, where he was booked on the charges. Parks was scheduled for a court appearance at Chillicothe Municipal Court on January 27, 2025, at 9:00 a.m.
The two additional dogs were placed in the custody of the Dog Warden, and authorities confirmed that the child living in the home appeared well-cared for.
The investigation into the case continues, with all animals removed from the property for their safety and welfare.
