Pet-Abuse.Com - Animal Abuse Case Details: Hoarding - 19 animal seized, 14 more dead

Hoarding - 19 animal seized, 14 more dead
Gaylord, MI (US)

Incident Date: Tuesday, Jul 24, 2007
County: Otsego
Local Map: available
Disposition: Convicted
Charges: Misdemeanor

Abuser/Suspect: Richard Blackmore

Case Updates: 4 update(s) available

Case ID: 11843

Classification: Hoarding

Animal: cat, bird (pet)

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Warrants executed days apart at two Gaylord residences turned up more than 30 cats and birds, nearly half of them dead, in what authorities are saying is an apparent case of animal neglect.

Among the dead were at least eight cats and a bird found wrapped in bags in the freezer of one house.

Officials with Otsego County Animal Control, Gaylord City Police and Northwest Michigan Community Health Agency are investigating the two incidents, which involved houses at 551 E. Petoskey St. on July 20 and at 519 S. Court Ave. on July 24.

Animal control officers wearing medical face masks and protective gloves were on the scene midday Tuesday searching the South Court Avenue house in the quiet city neighborhood, as well as a cardboard box on the front porch of the two-story residence.

Gaylord City Police Detective Sgt. Doug Kussrow said the two incidents are related and stated one male subject apparently is living at both residences. Investigators indicated Tuesday that the houses are owned by friends or family of the occupant and the homeowners apparently were unaware of the conditions.

Julie Gault, an officer with animal control, said the man is a Gaylord resident in his 50s. The subject�s name had not been released at press time; however, animal control director Angel Oppermann had spoken with him on the phone and said he had expressed a willingness to cooperate with authorities.

A warrant was executed Friday at the Petoskey Avenue residence, where animal control retrieved 13 live cats, six live birds and four dead birds. Oppermann said the animals were living in �extreme conditions,� and some animals had to be euthanized later by a veterinarian because of their condition. Sgt. Kussrow described the residence as containing �piles of feces� and presenting a strong odor.

Authorities initially responded to neighbors� complaints of odors and lots of cats at the Petoskey Street residence. Upon investigation, authorities learned the occupant may have had relatives living on Court Avenue. Oppermann went to that residence on Monday and detected a strong smell of cat urine and observed one cat. She then sought a warrant for that house.

While the warrant was being executed at the South Court Avenue residence Tuesday, eight cats and a bird were found dead and wrapped in bags in the freezer. Another unidentified animal, which Oppermann said may have been a kitten, also was found frozen in a bag.

Bill Lubs, environmental health supervisor with the health department, said there was some animal waste in the South Court residence. The subject apparently said during his phone conversation with Oppermann there was no running water at that home.

Oppermann said authorities continue to investigate the incidents.

Assistant prosecutor Brenden Curran said warrants were issued to search the two residences, not for a particular individual. He noted at this time they do not know with any certainty who is responsible for the care of the animals. Curran said at this stage his office would like to know a little more about the mental health status of the individual before a decision is made whether any criminal charges will be forthcoming.

Curran said a first offense for cruelty to animals or animal neglect is usually a misdemeanor with a second offense falling under a felony charge.

Case Updates

Richard Blackmore received two years probation and was ordered to undergo mental health treatment at his sentencing Thursday morning.

Blackmore, who was charged with two counts of animal cruelty/abandonment, pleaded no contest to one count. In exchange for that, the prosecution dropped the other count, court records indicated.

According to the 87th District Court, terms of his probation include mandatory mental health evaluation and recommendation; weekly attendance at Alcoholics Anonymous meetings; no possession of alcohol or illicit drugs; and random drug/alcohol screening. He must also allow animal control officers access to both of his residences, records indicated.

Blackmore must pay $490 in fines and costs, but was given the option of community service in lieu of payment.

The charges stemmed from two July incidents where authorities discovered more than 30 cats and birds � both alive and dead � in unsanitary living conditions at two Gaylord residences.

Source: Gaylord Herald Tmes - Aug 30, 2007
Update posted on Aug 31, 2007 - 5:56PM

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A pretrial is scheduled next week for Richard Blackmore, who stood mute at his arraignment Monday on charges of animal neglect.

Judge Patricia A. Morse Monday entered a �not guilty� plea on behalf of the 51-year-old Gaylord man who appeared in 87th District Court exactly one month after authorities allegedly discovered 13 live cats, six live birds and four dead birds in unsanitary living conditions at his 551 E. Petoskey St. residence.

The prosecution alleges Blackmore failed to provide animals with adequate care, which is punishable by 93 days in jail and $1,000 in fines, as well as numerous court and animal care costs.

He is charged with two counts of animal neglect. The second stems from a discovery at another residence, at 519 S. Court Ave., where authorities allegedly found eight cats, a kitten and a bird, all dead and in the freezer.

�The prosecutor has reviewed this matter,� Judge Morse told him, �and offers you the following: If you plead guilty to one count of animal neglect he would dismiss any other counts.�

Morse further indicated should Blackmore accept the plea, he would face a long probation during which time would be expected to address any mental health care issues and would be subject to random inspection by animal control authorities to make sure there is no repeat of animal neglect. The court could also prohibit Blackmore from possessing any animals during his probation.

Blackmore, dressed Monday in a black shirt and pants, was not accompanied by legal counsel but has retained attorney Everett E. Ayers for the sentencing portion of his trial. Ayers offered a comment Tuesday on Blackmore�s behalf.

�(Blackmore�s) main concern was for these animals, and I think he got overwhelmed with it. He still cares deeply for animals and he�s going to remedy the situation which caused this, and he will seek mental health treatment.�

The Gaylord man, who turned himself in Aug. 1, is said to be cooperating with authorities.

Blackmore is a former president and a founding member of Otsego County�s Friends For Life, an animal advocacy group, as previously reported in the Herald Times.

Pretrial is scheduled for Aug. 29 at 9 a.m., but Blackmore has been ordered to appear only at the status conference scheduled for Sept. 6 at 9:30 a.m. Both will be held at District Court.

Source: Gaylord Herald Times - Aug 22, 2007
Update posted on Aug 22, 2007 - 6:07PM

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The 50-year-old Gaylord man believed to be responsible for a recent case of animal neglect turned himself in to authorities Wednesday, and prosecutors say he likely will receive mental health treatment rather than jail time.

An arraignment has been scheduled for Aug. 20 at 10 a.m. in 87th District Court.

A warrant authorizing two counts of animal neglect was issued Wednesday by Otsego County Animal Control. The charges stem from two July incidents where authorities discovered more than 30 live and dead animals in two houses. Animal control officials believe the incidents may be the result of animal hoarding.

Otsego County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Brendan Curran said Friday the suspect, with whom he�s spoken by phone several times, indicated he planned to cooperate with authorities. The man turned himself in to the Otsego County Sheriff�s Department where he was processed and released on a personal recognizance bond, said Curran.

According to Curran, the prosecutor�s office likely will seek mental health treatment and a monitored probationary period of two years rather than the county pushing for jail time for the individual. The maximum sentence for each count � animal neglect is a misdemeanor � is 93 days in jail and a maximum fine of $1,000. Up to 200 hours� community service also is possible.

�The purpose for the prosecution here is to enforce mental health treatment for this individual,� commented Curran, adding the suspect �reacted favorably� to the suggestion of mental health treatment. �This isn�t a case where I�ll be looking for jail. I don�t think that would be helpful to anybody.�

On July 20, officers with Otsego County Animal Control and Gaylord City Police executed a search warrant at 551 E. Petoskey St., where they discovered 13 live cats, six live birds and four dead birds in unsanitary living conditions. Four days later, another search warrant turned up eight cats, a kitten and a bird, all dead and in plastic bags or towels in the freezer of 519 S. Court Ave. �At this point there�s no reason to believe those animals (found in the freezer) died of anything other than natural causes,� said Animal Control Director Angel Oppermann, adding those animals are still being held as evidence.

Oppermann said all six live birds have been turned over to a rescue group; nine cats have been adopted; four cats were euthanized because of their medical condition; and one cat was euthanized for its aggression.

She reported the suspect brought several more live cats to the animal shelter after the initial search of the Court Avenue residence, and some cats are still at the shelter awaiting adoption.

Anyone interested in adopting the cats may call the shelter at 705-7632.

Source: Gaylord Herald Times - Aug 6, 2007
Update posted on Aug 6, 2007 - 8:13PM

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A house at 551 E. Petoskey St., the target of an investigation in a case of animal hoarding and deaths, is in violation of the city�s Dangerous Building Ordinance, say city officials.

Otsego County prosecutor Kyle Legel expects charges stemming from the probe could be filed next week. Legel declined to provide further information.

A police report on the investigation lists Richard Blackmore, 50, as a resident of the Petoskey Street house.

City Manager Joe Duff said Friday he planned to send notification to Christina Nelson � who is listed on the tax bill for the residence at 551 E. Petoskey St. � of the city�s intentions to impose the ordinance on the structure.

A Gaylord City Police report dated July 20 states that Nelson�s whereabouts are unknown. Water bills for the Petoskey Street residence are sent to Nelson at a Boyne City address, according to city officials.

On July 20, officials with the health department, city police and animal control discovered 13 live cats, six live birds and four dead birds, as well as large amounts of animal waste in the residence. The city police report detailed: �The residence was extremely cluttered and unsanitary. There was feces and/or urine on the floor(s), wall(s), table(s), furniture, bathtub, kitchen counter. Insects were seen in the bathroom sink. There were several live birds and felines in the residence.� The house has not been condemned; however, Bill Lubs, environmental health supervisor with Northwest Michigan Community Health Agency, said Friday he sent a letter to the property owner recommending the house either be gutted and refurbished, or demolished completely.

Referring to Blackmore, the police report noted, �He may live at 519 S. Court Avenue.� Several dead animals were removed from that address Tuesday.

Further, the report from city police, who assisted the Otsego County Animal Control to obtain search warrants for the residences, stated Nelson is or was Blackmore�s girlfriend.

In a police report dated July 21, city police stated they found Blackmore�s vehicle in the drive of the 519 S. Court Ave. residence, but he was not found.

In his letter addressed to Nelson, Duff stated an inspection of the Petoskey Street property will be made Aug. 7, at which time authorities will determine whether the structure violates the city�s dangerous building ordinance. If so, she would be granted 48 hours to begin making required corrections to the property, after which officials with the building department and the city would inspect the property.

�A notice shall be posted prohibiting entrance to the building until repairs are made to the satisfaction of the entities issuing the violations,� stated the letter.

Duff told the Herald Times a public meeting would then be held to determine the fate of the structure.

According to city records, owners of the Court Avenue residence are listed as Gladys Blackmore and Ron Roth. Gladys Blackmore died in February, according to Herald Times obituary information. Roth and Richard Blackmore were listed as her sons. That obituary stated �to honor Gladys� lifetime of love, compassion, and caring for animals, the family asks that contributions be made to the animal and/or pet welfare program of your choice.�

Dawn Greene, a board member of Friends for Life since 2000, said Richard Blackmore was a founding member of Friends For Life and served as its first president before leaving the organization.

Source: Gaylord Herald Times - July 28, 2007
Update posted on Jul 28, 2007 - 4:08PM

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Gaylord Herald - July 26, 2007

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Hoarding - 19 animal seized, 14 more deadGaylord, MI (US)

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Hoarding - 19 animal seized, 14 more dead
Gaylord, MI (US)