951 chinchillas rescued from Ohio breeder as facility is forced to close
A breeding facility in Jenera, Ohio, was revealed to have hundreds of chinchillas in poor conditions. Federal inspections led to the discovery of severe neglect and health issues in the animals. Humane World for Animals assisted in the rescue of 951 chinchillas, which were removed in two operations. The facility's owner agreed to surrender the animals and cease operations regulated by the Animal…
Inspectors discovered hundreds of neglected chinchillas at a breeding facility in Jenera, Ohio. The USDA filed a complaint against the breeder, James F. Ritterspach, alleging repeated violations of the Animal Welfare Act. USDA inspectors conducted 18 inspections between 2022 and 2026, uncovering 59 violations, with 17 classified as critical.
Among the worst conditions, inspectors found animals living in filthy, ammonia-filled environments, with open packets of rat poison nearby. Many chinchillas had severe health issues, including swollen eyes, embedded metal collars, and mats of tangled fur.
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