Neglect and hoarding of animals
Romulus, MI (US)Incident Date: Thursday, May 2, 2002
County: Wayne
Disposition: Alleged
Case Images: 3 files available
Alleged:
» Ann Sharon Hammac
» Michael Douglas Kay
13 dogs and 6 cats were confiscated from the Loafer's Rest Party Store in Van Buren Township. Romulus Animal Control allerted VBT Animal Control that animals were being kept at the store under "squalid conditions".
Romulus Animal Control Officer Kim Matthews said over the years, the city has had some animal problems with the store's owner, who resides also owns property on Westvale Rd.
In Romulus residents are allowed only 2 dogs, which must be licensed. In January, 2002 there were too many animals at the residence and so Hammac moved those animals to her store in Van Buren Township.
The animals were taken by the Romulus, Van Buren Township and Michigan Humane Society after Hammac signed over all the animals to animal control.
The animals taken were 1 senior hound dog, 2 6-month-old malamutes, 6 adult malamutes, 3 adult miniature pinschers, 1 adult pit bull, 3 kittens, and 3 adult cats.
When Animal Control Officer Ostrowski from Van Buren Township entered the store and ask to see the animals, he was led to 3 separate pens where the 7 malamutes were being housed. No food or water was evident in the pen area except for some standing ground water. The pen had no gate so workers had to saw open the wooden fencing to get to the dogs. Officers were told food was thrown over the fence. The dogs had to rely on the rainwater for liquids.
Ostrowski was then taken to see the other animals - 3 minipins were in a storage area at the back of the store. The storage room was filled with debris and animal feces, the smell in the room was overpowering.
The 2 remaining dogs were kept inside a bedroom of Hammac's living quarters adjacent to the store. Hammac reported that the dogs were kept in the bedroom during business hours but had full roam of the store at night for protection. No food or water was found in the bedroom.
The rest of the animals, the senior dog and cats, and kittens were found in the basement. The dog had severe leg disorders and nails on all four paws were from 1 to 2 inches in length. What was initially thought to be scabs on the dog turned out to be clumps of fleas. The entire basement floor was covered in water and animal waste. The cats were found on old clothes littered throughout the basement. The basement had no dry flooring.
Hammac explained that she found the hound dog near the railroad tracks on Hannan Rd. and brought him home to care for him.
It was later determined that all the animals were owned by Hammac and her associate Michael Douglas Kay. Kay left the store after identifing himself to the officers.
5 other dogs were confiscated from Hammac's house in Romulus on the same day as those taken from the store. Within 24 hours of the confiscation, 3 of the 5 dogs were adopted out by the Michigan Humane Society.
Hammac had been charged with animal cruelty regarding the minipins in Romulus 5 years earlier.
Hammac was allowed to keep 2 dogs but with supervision. Officer Ostrowski is preparing a request for warrants through the Wayne County Prosecutor's office. He is seeking 19 counts of animal cruelty against Hammac and Kay. References« MI State Animal Cruelty Map
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