Norton Shores woman charged with animal neglect to appear in court

MUSKEGON, Mich. — A Norton Shores woman is set to appear before a judge Tuesday morning at 9 a.m. at Muskegon’s 60th District Court. 

Lisa Cober was convicted of felony animal cruelty to 25 or more animals after police found 80 dogs in her home in Jan of 2023. 

Cober was sentenced to five years probation, 100 hours of community service and could owe restitution.

She is asking for funds donated to the Big Lake Humane Animal Shelter to be used towards her possible restitution. 

After caring for the rescued dogs in 2023, the shelter had to temporarily close their doors. In response, community members donated funds to help the animal shelter with costs. 

The animal shelter has since posted to their Facebook and called her request deeply concerning.

“Donations raised during this crisis were the result of the community’s compassion and generosity– not a subsidy for Ms. Cober’s negligence,” the shelter said.

The investigation into animal neglect started when Pound Buddies director Lana Carson received several complaints from people who had adopted dogs from Cober Rescue and said the dogs were sick or in poor health. 

The anonymous tipster sent in photos of the deplorable living conditions dozens of dogs were subjected to. 

The threat of distemper with many of the dogs inside that home concerned law enforcement and health officials. 

Once the police department secured a search warrant, authorities and volunteers found the dogs in unsanitary and overcrowded conditions. 

Authorities shared an inside look at Cober’s home last year. They called the conditions “unlivable.”

The Norton Shores Police Department shared also video of the rescue effort. They worked alongside Pound Buddies, Harbor Humane Society and Glen Park Animal Hospital.

Later, the Norton Shores Building Division inspected the home and deemed it unfit for occupancy. 

Watch that footage here: 

You can also watch Cober’s previous court appearance here: