Michigan Animal Abuse Cases

Case Summary: August 2011, the Newaygo County Animal Control raided Candace Shepard-Younce's house near Howard City in Montcalm County kennel. She was allowed to keep about 20 German Shepherds on her property after animal control rescued more than 80 shepherds and Chihuahuas, and four cats. Her pre-trial hearing was set for mid-August.

Status: pending

80 dogs seized by neighboring county2011 Montcalm County

11 dogs seized with flea infestation2011 Ontonagon County

Status: James Griffin, a breeder, was charged with animal cruelty back in September and found guilty for inadequate care for four to ten animals. The animals were discovered in Griffin's home last January and they were said to be living with a flea infestation and their own urine and fecal matter. Griffin received 40 days of jail time with credit for 40 days and is now

on 12 months probation.

16 mix breeds taken by rescue group2011 Newaygo County

Status: June 2011, rescuers seized 16 mixed breed puppies found malnourished and infested with worms. One dog was skinny and bloated at the same time: intestinal parasites. Some have behavioral issues. The Humane Society of West Michigan. Criminal investigation is underway.

11 cockers dumped on side of road2011 Salem Township, Washtenaw County

Case Summary: The dogs, mostly older in age, had clearly been used for breeding and did not receive proper care. Ages range from approximate 12 years old to six. All are in horribly neglectful states, with overgrown, badly matted feces‐covered fur. It appears that they have been housed in small cages amidst their own waste. Some are very old and appear to have had at least one litter of puppies a year for many years.

Status: A $500 reward was offered for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible. Found near Five Mile and Salem Road.

77 dogs seized inside home2010 Deerfield Twp, Livingston County

Case Summary: May 27, 2011 -Webster pleaded no contest to one count of animal cruelty involving 10 or more animals after Livingston County Animal Control officers seized dozens of dogs, many of whom were living inside the home in cages stacked on top of one another. Animal Control received a complaint in August of last year that between 30 and 40 dogs were being housed in poor conditions at a home on Center Road. When officers responded, they found over 75 dogs, 60 of which were living inside the home. The dogs, at least one of which had to be euthanized, were all small breeds and were able to be placed in homes through the efforts of Animal Control and the Humane Society of Livingston County.

Status: Accused of keeping dozens of dogs in deplorable conditions will avoid further jail time. 58-year-old Roxanne Webster was ordered to serve two years probation and was given credit for two days of jail time already served. She must also see a hoarding counselor and cannot own any animals except horses while on probation. Random searches of her home for animals may also be conducted.

37 dogs seized from backyard2010 Dexter, Washtenaw County

Case Summary: 48 animals including nine birds, two cats and 37 dogs — were removed from the home of Donald Douglas Burkett and Kathe Elizabeth Tyson-Burkett, 61, June 17 2010. The pens the dogs were living in were covered in feces, there were flies everywhere and there was no clean water for the dogs to drink. The animals also lacked proper veterinary care.Donald and Kathe were each charged with one count of abandonment, cruelty to 10 or more animals and one count of possession of the controlled substance euthasol. Euthasol is used to euthanize animals. The trial was set for June 2011.

Status: Donald was initially charged with felony animal cruelty. It was dropped to 3 misdemeanors which he pled no contest to 1 count of. Counts 2 and 3 were dismissed. He was sentenced to a fine of $891 and that's it. No probation.

24 dogs seized from backyard2010 Gregory, Livingston CountyCase Summary: Springborn opened a puppy selling pet store called Pet Paradise Plus store in Stockbridge, Mi in 2010. It was soon surrounded by protesters and eventually raided by the Ingham County ACO in May 2010. An investigation led them to her home in Gregory (Livingston County). In her home, they found over twenty small breed dogs in unsanitary conditions. She faced felony charges.

There were many complaints filed regarding her dogs housed in Gregory going back to 2006.

1. 13 dogs, Newf, St. Bernards, Great Pyren. And St. B puppies. No shade, skinny, not good living conditions.

2. No dog licenses.

3. Running at large, attacking neighbors dog.

4. Animal abuse: Shade, food and water?

5. Abuse. Too many dogs. Over 10. Breeding dogs, not caring for them. Hearing horrible yelps and crying from home.

Status: Two years probation with a ban on animals.

Case Summary: A Mason-area championship dog breeder, Joan Skillman, accused of allowing many of her dogs to live in mud and feces was charged with 11 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty. The 73-year-old Aurelius Township woman faced up to 93 days in jail. Skillman bred Australian shepherds for more than 20 years. Ingham County Animal Control officers on April 27 went to Skillman’s property and seized about 70 dogs. It was called the largest seizure in the county’s history. Officials said many of the dogs were living in filthy conditions. Some had severe medical problems. Kennels were filled with mud and several inches of feces that had been covered with wood chips. The bottom of one pen was covered with water, from which the enclosed dogs could not escape. Animal Control placed most of the dogs that were seized in foster homes. Most of those dogs were in poor health.

Status: After a trail, Skillman received two years of probation, ordered her to pay more than $8,000.

69 dogs seized from backyard2009 Mason, Ingham County

Case Summary: Patrick & Dixie Plunkett were operating without a license. Many of the dogs had ringworm, matted fur and parvo. A few died after being removed and one gave birth and a few others were pregnant. Charged with 10 counts of cruelty.

Status: Felony charges. Sentenced to serve jail time - not enforced (medical condition). Three years probation. Restitution estimated at $20,000. Allowed one dog and a parrot.

Almost 60 dogs seized2008 Sanilac County

Case Summary: Operating without a kennel license. Animals were covered in feces, living in dirty pens, had food with feces and could not access water. Lori had a history of neglect. Charged with animal cruelty in 2005 and was sentenced in 2008 to five years probation.

Status: (2010) Nichiow was sentence to 90 days in the Macomb County jail for violating conditions of her probation.

67 dogs seized at Lornich Kennels2008 Sterling Heights, Macomb County

50 unlicensed dogs at My Puppy Paradise2010 Mt. Morris, Genesee County

Case Summary: 40-50 dogs without tags or kennel license. Allegedly not vetting dogs. Selling sick puppies (parvo). Advertising across the country on popular puppy mill classified sites. Fancy website. At least 5 different breeds.

Status: Fined for unlicensed dogs. Relocated to West Michigan and then California 2011. Case file in Barry County. Lost small claims case in Genesee County.

70 animals seized from breeder/hoarder2009 Davison, Genesee County

Case Summary: Kim Koss has a history with law enforcement going back to 2003 allowing her dogs to run loose. Neighbors reported a horse was hit and killed by a car. In 2009, Koss was charged with a felony for abandonment and cruelty of more than 10 animals (approx 70 animals were seized). Her charges were reduced to a misdemeanor and she has been under court supervision. While on probation was ticked for allowing her dogs to run loose into the road - neglect.

Status: Two years probation. Unannounced visits to verify conditions.

33 Dogs seized in Kennel Raid2009 Deerfield Twp, Washtenaw CountyCase Summary: Timothy Spurlock owner of Ackley Kennels. Cruelty investigators found many dogs had been kept in cages for weeks and the stench inside kennel was "horrific." The animals appeared to have been fed on a regular basis but that the conditions around them were filthy and they were confined for long periods of time. Most of the animals have apparently been neglected, the animals may have developed aggressive behavior.

Status: The prosecutors office denied the charges due to amount of time that had passed.

231 dogs, 84 euthanized 2007 Barry CountyCase Summary: Barry County ACO seized and euthanized 85 dogs. Oakwood Kennels, operated by John Jons “JRT John” was over their 140 dog limit. The kennel sold 350 puppies per year across the Midwest. Jone Jones 57, a former dairy farmer was known to collect animals: New Guinea Singing Dogs, racoons, sugar gliders, wolf dogs. In 2004 the kennel’s permit was increased from 50 to 140 dogs. When they were over they moved dogs to his mothers home across the road. During an inspection John asked that the dogs be taken because they could not be sold or no placed.The problem is – they keep breeding and the dogs are not that popular (Jack Russells). March 13 2007, arraigned on a misdemeanor - refusal to negotiate with authorities who are trying to limit the number of dogs. Dogs had severe manage, parasites and other health problems. They were not socialized.

Status: Relocated from Barry County to Missaukee County (photo on right)

2007 John Jones – Barry County

2007 John Jones – Barry County

Abuse Cases Sentences

Year Description Name County Probation Jail Time Restrictions

Communi

ty Service

Mental

Health Restitution

2005 79 dogs seized Pamela Keehbauch Isabella 2 Years No Animals 200 hours Counseling $14,000 - $38,000

2006 Over 80 dogs seized Virginia Lawrence Calhoun 1 Year $2,000

2007 232 Dogs John & Suzette Jones

Barry

2008 67 Dogs seized Lori Nichiow Macomb 5 Years 90 days for probation 2008 Almost 60 animals seized Patrick & Dixie

Plunkett

Sanilac 3 Years 30 days

(waived)

One dog and

one parrot

$20,000

2009 70 Animals Seized Kim Koss Genesee 2 Years

2009 69 dogs seized Joan Skillman Ingham 2 Years >$8,000

2009 33 dogs seized Timothy Spurlock Washtenaw n/a n/a

2010 24 dogs seized Laura Springborn Livingston 2 Years No Animals

2010 54 dogs seized Donald and Kathe Burkett

Washtenaw n/a n/a $891

2010 50 dogs ticketed Cheri Lane Genesee n/a n/a

2010 over 75 dogs seized Roxanne Webster Livingston 2 Years No Animals,

except horses

Counseling

2011 29 cocker spaniels Washtenaw TBD TBD

2011 11 cocker spaniels dumped Washtenaw TBD TBD

2011 11 Chihuahas Seized James Griffen Ontonagon 2 Years 40 days