A Pontiac woman was charged for animal cruelty on Tuesday after officials found 29 dogs and eight cats in her home.
Oakland County Animal Control found the animals in the home of Karmen Alletia Schooly, 47, on Sept. 27, according to the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office.
Schooly is not registered or licensed to house animals, according to the release. Her home was also allegedly unfit for living.
Officials found the animals living in unacceptable conditions and are now supporting their recovery, Oakland County Shelter Manager Bob Gatt said in the release.
Schooly was charged with one felony count of cruelty to 25 or more animals and one misdemeanor count of operating an unregistered animal shelter.
She could serve up to seven years in prison, up to 500 hours of community service, or have to pay up to $10,000 in fines for the first charge, according to the release. The latter charge could also land Schooly up to 90 days in jail and or a fine of up to $500.
“Housing dozens of animals that you can’t take care of is not a ‘rescue,’ and neglectingor abusing animals is a crime,” Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said in the release. “I applaud Oakland County Animal Control for saving these dogs and cats from deplorable conditions.”
Charges against the Pontiac woman come weeks after southeast Michigan law enforcement agencies reported pursuing charges in similar animal cruelty cases.
Police arrested a Genesee County mother and son officials found 44 neglected dogs and 13 dead dogs in their home in October. The woman was allegedly breeding the small dogs in her home.
Three Eastpointe residents were similarly charged in early October for allegedly killing and torturing dogs in their home. The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office also charged a Canadian man in September for setting his girlfriend’s Warren house on fire and killing two cats.
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