Couple charged with animal neglect, cruelty
Warrants are being sought for a Harrison man and Livingston County woman on multiple charges of animal cruelty and neglect.
An anonymous tip led Clare County Animal Control officers to the Coolidge Road address where they found and confiscated nine horses and 23 golden retriever dogs March 12.
Reportedly the man owns the property where the animals were kept and was their caretaker. The animals belonged to the woman.
It isn’t the first time that neglect was reported at the Coolidge Road residence. Animal Control was called to the location before on a complaint about two months ago, Animal Control Director David Gendregske said. He added that the animals were given treatment by a Veterinarian from Gladwin County at that time.
When officers responded last week, Gendregske said three of the horses were “very thin.” Two of the horses were reportedly so undernourished that they were eating the bark from pine trees. One of the two has a serious skin condition due to exposure to tree sap and weather. They were taken to the Clare County Animal Shelter. The other seven horses were temporarily housed with a neighbor, since the shelter does not have the facilities to house and care for that many horses. The dogs were all taken to the shelter as well.
Gendregske said two of the horses may have to be destroyed due to injury or age but the rest are expected to recover. “We can already see a difference in the horses,” he added.
He said the dogs and possibly the horses may be “adopted before the case is heard.” He continued, “We are planning to petition the court to allow us to find homes for the animals.” He said in animal neglect cases where animals are seized, the court can be petitioned to allow disposal of the animals before the case goes to trial.
In the meantime, the shelter is trying to find enough food and supplies for the additional dogs and horses.
“The Animal Shelter budget, like other county departments, has been cut drastically,” Gendregske said. “We really appreciate the help of the community. Without their support we wouldn’t be able to do it.”
Anyone who wants to help should contact the Animal Shelter at 539-3221. “We are very short of food, especially hay for the horses. They are eating seven bales of hay every day. We also need grain and dog food.
HALLELUJAH! The dog community has been praying for justice for those poor dogs for years. Their lives as indentured puppy producers could be coming to an end.
As you know where I live, next door couple bought gimpy goat last summer, they called her “Billie” which roam free their yard and ours. They happen to have a small old shed which used to be an outhouse and they build chicken wire fence with tree post around it. In the next several weeks later I notice they do not take care of Billie and I have a very strong feeling for animals when they do not “been” fed well. I had a plastic bowl from butter container to fill the water for Billie, she drank water with in few second and its gone, I was so heart broken to see how hungry she was and when days go by I keep checking on her and fed her whatever I can give her. I had asked a very good friend to call the cop about this goat. GUESS WHAT.. the cop came and left. I had told my friend 3 times to call cop since weather was cold and freeze and Billie does not have any straw to keep it warm. Full of feces inside the outhouse and barely have any food with NO WATER. When the 3rd time cop stopped by and left , this cop call my friend back and told him that if you going to call us one more time about this goat we will not come over. The cop says this goat is FINE. I knew cop NEVER check. I went over to feed the goat about couple weeks later and found this goat was stuck between the wood and the wall of shed, and could not able to move, I hurried and told my boyfriend to please help this goat. He ran and knocked the neighbor who own the goat. this lady answered the door and she did not respond what so ever. He decide to see the goat and try to save it. She sent her son to check on the goat and he NEVER say a WORD. My boyfriend told him to tell your mother to take this goat to VET right now or this goat will die. My boyfriend called the police and told them what happen. We had to leave to town, and we came back in few hours later. He check on the goat and it was gone. I have not hear anything from the cop, or newspaper, even my good friend report to Local T.V. station and they did not respond his email either. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THOSE PEOPLE !! who serve above the law??
You need to call the Clare County Animal Shelter instead of the police department. The police departments are not equipted to capture or take care of animals.
Curious…..youre telling me that the police dept cant realize that somethings wrong and notify the Animal Shelter? Isnt that part of the Serve in their motto?
Although I live in a city and I can not adopt a farm animal, I would adopt one of the Goldens Retrievers in a heart beat, no animal should be mistreated. I am looking for a Golden and could provide an excellent home. Please call 248 541-6938 if and Goldens become available