44 small dogs are recovering in Genesee County Animal Control’s care after they were saved from what police say was a hoarding situation in Burton.
BURTON, Mich. (WJRT) – 44 small dogs are recovering in Genesee County Animal Control’s care after they were saved from what police say was a hoarding situation in Burton.
On Friday, Burton Police Chief Brian Ross said police were called to a home on LaSalle Ave. The caller said there was a foul smell.
Chief Ross said the living conditions inside the home were horrific.
“We found 44 live dogs during our search and we found 13 deceased dogs,” said Chief Ross. “The dogs were in kennels, stacked three high. Dogs that were on the top were urinating and defecating on the dogs underneath. Just a terrible situation.”
According to the investigation, a 49-year-old woman lived at the home with her son. Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson said the woman was breeding the dogs. It is not clear how long the dogs were in this situation, but law enforcement was on the scene rescuing the dogs for about five hours Saturday night.
“This is a case where we believe mental health and criminal responsibility collide,” explained the sheriff. “Starvation is a concern. Neglect is too, and ultimately, when you have dogs that are not getting cared for medically or starving. That’s torture,” said Sheriff Swanson.
Police, investigators and the prosecutor said the details laid out in the investigation were appalling.
“Extraordinarily difficult to read. So sad. Talking about dogs in cages, dogs caged who are dead. Dogs under tarps. Just a very difficult situation,” said Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton.
According to court records, the woman, who has not yet been arraigned, is facing three charges, including two felonies for animal cruelty and a misdemeanor charge for having a dead body of an animal. The prosecutor believes the son was suffering from mental health problems, which he said will be explored in the courts. Leyton said he will be given a competency examination.
Sheriff Swanson said the 13 dogs that were found dead in the home were sent for a necropsy to confirm the cause of death, but he said starvation is a concern.
The home has since been condemned, as police said the owner did sign consent to give the dogs to animal control.
It’s a case that is also prompting those in office to let the public know there is help before it is too late.
“The educational process about there being help out there, for people to be able that are getting overwhelmed, so it doesn’t turn into a situation like this,” said Burton Mayor Duane Haskins.
Genesee County Animal Control put out a call to the community, and these pups are now getting the food and support they need.
“It is definitely heartbreaking, and it’s really difficult to see animals when they come in; They are matted and filthy and emaciated. It’s awful. Animals are such innocent beings, and they don’t ask for any of this,” said the social media specialist for Genesee County Animal Control, Hannah Peterson.
Genesee County Animal Control now has the legal obligation to care for the dogs because the owner agreed to sign over her rights.
“We are just trying to make them as comfortable, healthy and happy as possible. We are going to be moving them to rescues,” said Peterson.
With help from the community, donations came in droves, including food from P.S. Love Michigan, who saw the post on social media.
“This is the perfect timing. We went out and bought all the cans of food, all the dry food, everything we possibly could,” said Amanda Hayes, the owner of P.S. Love Michigan.
“It was box after box of wet food, dry food. It’s amazing. We couldn’t do it without the support of our community,” said Peterson.
Peterson said, eventually the dogs would go to rescues or foster homes, but, first they needed medical attention, including food, supplies and love from the community.
Animal Control Donations can be dropped off during the animal shelter’s normal business hours of noon to 6 Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
Genesee County Animal Control put out a call to the community after taking the 44 dogs in; The pups are now getting the food and support they need.
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