Neighbors said they never saw animals outside after 28 pets were removed from the property.

INDIANAPOLIS — After rescuing the animals from a residence on Indy's southside, IACS is now caring for 18 dogs and 10 cats.

The house on Epler Ave used to be a church, according to many of the neighbors. The flower gardens are now overgrown with weeds, and the windows have shades drawn. Four enormous, overflowing trash cans, as well as numerous additional trash bags, were outside the building as of midday on Thursday.

On Wednesday, neighbors said they were astonished to see animal after animal being removed from the residence.

Not once did I see somebody walking their dog, putting it out, or anything, said John Peterson, who lives near the house.

For years, Peterson and his family attended Sunday services there, and the entire community was always willing to pitch in to help maintain the church.

It literally pulled my whole family apart," Peterson explained. We all used to go over there, my son, my wife, my daughter, and me.

It's difficult to say; with any inquiry, there's always a chance, but there's also a chance they'll become our property, said Roxie Randall, IACS' Community Outreach Manager.

According to Randall, there is no limit to how many pets a person can have as long as they are properly cared for.

As long as they're cleaned up after, receive good veterinarian care, are fed and hydrated, and their basic requirements are addressed, Randall added.

According to Randall, the facility's kennel capacity has been severely strained due to the influx of cats and dogs. All adoptions are currently free if you're seeking for a new furry friend. IACS was subsequently dispatched by the Health Department to collect the animals. The living circumstances of the animals are now the subject of an open investigation.

The animals' fate is determined by the investigation's results, although there's a potential they'll be returned to their previous residence.

IACS returned to the residence on Thursday to pick up another cat.

The current tenants have been residing in the property for the past three years, according to one neighbor, which is when the neighbors first noticed an odor.

We knocked on the house's door. A man answered the door with a barely audible thud, telling us that what his neighbors were saying about him was false and that he didn't want to talk about us.

According to a Marion County Health Department representative, the investigation began with a complaint-based inspection. Two emergency orders were issued by detectives when they arrived at the house. One is for hygienic conditions, while the other is for sewage within the home.

I can only think what health ramifications it could have on a person's health if people are cutting grass outside and they can smell it, said David Peterson, another neighboring neighbor.

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