Ten dogs and five cats are staying outside in the winter's cold, in the backyard of their home at 3360 Joy Lynn Ln, off of Millsboro Road in Springfield Township outside of Ontario.

The house was heavily damaged by a fire two months ago.  The owners are living in a motel, but their pets are left behind.

Neighbor Dave Wachalec says the dogs bark for hours at a time, have occasionally gotten out of the fenced yard and run loose, and just need to be removed and put into warm homes.

Miss Houghton of the Humane Society of Richland County says the animals' owner comes over to feed them everyday, has not agreed to surrender the dogs and cats, and has not committed an offense under the law that would allow them to be seized.

Houghton says if anyone wants to adopt one or more of the dogs or cats, to call the Humane Society at 419-774-4795, and she will try to convince the owner to allow them to be adopted.