TIPP CITY, Ohio — As part of a six-month investigation initiated from angry animal lovers across southwestern Ohio, officials from the Miami County Sheriff’s Office issued a search warrant late last month to remove livestock and other animals from Serenity Horse Rescue in Miami County.

The investigation into this facility began Feb. 12 when neighbors complained about the condition of the property. Neighbors complained horses on the property were not disposed of properly upon death.

A few weeks before reports of animal abuse, county health department officials executed a search warrant after reports that someone was living in a structure that was not served by a bathroom or sewage system. According to Chris Cook, county health commissioner, the department condemned the building.

Bethel Township zoning department officials issued a citation because use of the structure for a residence was not allowed on the site, which is zoned for agriculture.

The Miami County Humane Society was present in February as 150 animals were removed from the facility and taken to an undisclosed location in an adjacent county. Animals confiscated included 23 horses, sheep, goats, chickens, ducks, rabbits, dogs and peacocks. The animals are now evidence for what is being called an animal cruelty case.

Sharon Karns, Miami County humane agent, said she had been investigating the operation for six months, including talking with the owner about the conditions. 

Karns and her staff removed the animals from the premises after reports of dead horses not being disposed of properly and someone living there in an uninhabitable structure.

“I failed to see improvement,” said Karns, who used a warrant to seize the animals on Feb. 24.

The operation is run by Shula Woodworth, on property she was leasing. Woodworth could not be reached for comment. According to property records, the land is owned by Sherre Lynn Sommers of Miamisburg.

“I gave advice to Woodworth on care of the animals. Some things she complied with, some things she didn’t,” Karns said.

She said some of the seized horses “were in pretty bad shape; others were not.”

Woodworth started Serenity Horse Rescue in 2006 at Sycamore Run Stables in Warren County near Franklin. Serenity had its start as a nonprofit group designed to rescue unwanted, neglected or abused horses. Woodworth assisted with Second Chance Horse Rescue in Lebanon, but left that group due to mismanagement of funds and formed Serenity Horse Rescue.

No charges have been filed against the facility’s owners. The investigation is ongoing.