The department said it apologized by letters and phone calls to the homeowners who were sent letters declaring their properties public health nuisances, the Canton Repository reported Monday.

Rose Ward said she was shocked to receive a letter from the Health Department ordering her to cut down high grass and weeds in her yard. She said she has kept her lawn and garden meticulously maintained since moving into her house in 1972.

"Why wouldn't they check first to make sure you have accurate information before you do something, because my blood pressure went up," Ward said.

"Failure to comply with this order may result in the Canton City Board of Health furnishing the materials and labor necessary to abate this nuisance and placing the cost of such abatement as a lien upon your property," the letter received by Ward stated.

Mark Adams, the city's director of environmental health, said the citation process is being fine-tuned to prevent future mistakes.