Puppy mill - approximately 170 animals
Spring Lake, MI (US)

Incident Date: Friday, Dec 28, 2001
County: Ottawa

Disposition: Alleged

Alleged: Janice L. Bidwell

A Spring Lake woman has pleaded guilty to two misdemaneaor charges of animal abandoning and cruelty as well as operating a kennel with no license.

Authorities say Janice Bidwell was running the kennel from her home on 144th Avenue in Spring Lake Township.

Sgt. Jon Overway of the Ottawa County Sheriff's Deptartment says officers found almost 170 adult dogs and puppies on Janice Bidwell's property last week.  Now a judge has ordered the relocation of 120 of those animals.  Officers say they found overcrowded conditions and problems with waste removal.  A veternarian noticed no diseases on the dogs he did notice swelling on some of the dog's feet.

Bidewell's daughter, Cindy, says this is all a big misunderstanding she says there was only temporary overcrowding while the dogs were brought here during the holidays from a facility in Howell which is licensed.  She says 80 of the dogs have already been sold or relocated.  A judge has ordered there be no more than 50 dogs at the Spring Lake facility by January fourth.  Cindy says her mom will comply

References

• Wood TV Channel 8

« MI State Animal Cruelty Map
« More cases in Ottawa County, MI

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