JACKSON COUNTY, MI – New details of the investigation into dead dogs found in a freezer behind a Jackson restaurant include evidence of skinned animals without heads, an exotic rodent and more.
The Jackson County Animal Shelter and Animal Control continues to investigate the contents found inside a freezer on Sunday, May 25 behind The Parlour, 1401 Daniel Road in Jackson.
Health officials said the current restaurant operations are not part of where the animals were found and that the new owner is in full compliance with health rules.
The probe was opened after the general manager for the new owner found animal remains in a freezer.
Inside, animal control also found skinned animals without heads or paws, a rodent known as a Patagonian cavy and some packaged meat and sausage that looks like it came from a store, Shelter Director Lydia Sattler said.
Related: Dead dogs found in freezer at The Parlour of Jackson
The shelter is still investigating the incident and is conducting necropsies on the dead dogs to determine the cause of death. The shelter is also attempting to determine the species of the decapitated animals, she said.
The shelter is still conducting interviews with witnesses and other leads to find out more information. Sattler said a big question they hope to answer is: ‘why?’
“This is super bizarre,” Sattler said.
More information will be available as the investigation continues, Sattler said.
Scott Pienta took over The Parlour two months ago, and the garage, which is separate from the restaurant, was filled with old kitchen equipment and personal items of a previous operator, he said.
Pienta said he’s been attempting to get the person to remove their items, including the freezer. On Sunday, The Parlour’s general manager discovered the dead dogs and other evidence when he opened the freezer, and Pienta instructed him to call Jackson County Animal Control.
The Jackson County Health Department’s director Kristin Pluta said she has worked closely with The Parlour, including Pienta and former management over the years. The Parlour is a large facility, and the location where the animals were found is not part of the current restaurant operation and does not fall under the Department’s jurisdiction.
Pluta also added that Pienta has demonstrated full compliance with Michigan Food Code requirements and reflected a strong commitment to health and safety standards.
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