Genesee County officials said they accuse a man of neglecting his two dogs and are looking for a couple in connection with the deaths of two puppies.
County Sheriff Chris Swanson announced charges against the man and the search for the two suspects during a media briefing video posted Friday on Facebook.
Jeremy Justin Neph, 33, of Vienna Township, was arrested by sheriff’s deputies on Jan. 19, Swanson said.
Neph was arraigned on Jan. 22 through 67th District Court in Flushing on a charge of killing and torturing an animal, a four-year felony, according to the sheriff’s office.
A judge set Neph’s bond at $1,000 and scheduled his next court hearing for Feb. 12. He posted bond on Jan. 24.
His attorney, Marc Lakin, said on Monday that he had no comment about the case.
Swanson said deputies were called Jan. 19 to a home at 11231 Langdon Drive in Vienna Township for a report of two abandoned dogs.
They arrived and found two dogs in garages inside the home’s garage, the sheriff said. Both dogs were emaciated and covered in feces and urine, he said. He added they also did not have any food or water.
One of the animals, Swanson said, was severely ill and unable to lift its head. He said it could only move its eyes. Furthermore, the dog had open sores on its legs.
County animal control officers collected the dogs and a veterinarian ordered the sick one euthanized.
Deputies began an investigation, located the animals’ owner, Neph, and arrested him.
Swanson said Neph told investigators during questioning that his job required him to long hours and he was unable to care for the dogs, which he had named “Nixie and Axel.”
The sheriff said the surviving dog was renamed “Baxter” and is available for adoption through Genesee County Animal Control.
In a separate case, Swanson said deputies are searching for a man and woman for questioning in the deaths of two puppies found in a Grand Blanc Township home in November.
He said investigators seek Bruce Arlyn Austin, 46, and Jamie Lynn Cross, 43.
On Nov. 27,county animal control officers were called to a residence on Justin Drive in the Parkwood Mobile Home Park for a report of a barking dog suspected to have been abandoned, according to authorities.
They said the property manager told officers witnesses reported seeing the home’s residents moving their belongings out on Nov. 11. He told officers neighbors reported a dog barking inside the home.
Officers entered the home and found one live dog and two dead puppies, police reported.
Investigators suspected the animals had been abandoned and took them to the county veterinary doctor, they said.
Officials said the vet determined the puppies died from starvation. The vet reported both were hungry enough at some point that they had eaten hair, plastic and metal.
They said the surviving animal, which has been named Bubba, has been adopted and has a new home.
Swanson urges anyone with information on the whereabouts of Austin or Cross to call the sheriff’s office at (810) 257-3422.
The cases follow other incidents of alleged animal abuse.
Last month, a 48-year-old Richmond Township man was charged for allegedly strangling his family’s dog.
In November, a Pontiac woman was charged with animal cruelty after officials found 29 dogs and eight cats in her home.
In October, Swanson said deputies arrested a Genesee County woman and her son were facing charges after police found 44 neglected dogs and 13 dead ones in their home.
cramirez@detroitnews.com
@CharlesERamirez
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