Case Details

Dog and cat living in van for two months Warren, MI (US) Incident Date: Wednesday, Oct 31, 2007 County: Macomb Local Map: available Disposition: Alleged Abuser names unreleased

Case ID: 12723 Classification: Neglect / Abandonment Animal: cat, dog (non pit-bull) View more cases in MI (US) Login to Watch this Case

Animal cruelty charges could be filed against the owner of a dog that Warren police said was largely confined to a van for approximately two months.

Animal control officers impounded the female German shepherd Sunday from the van in the 13000 block of Couwlier. The vehicle was full of trash, and dog feces covered the interior, according to a police report.

The van had no food or water inside.

Detective Sgt. Heidi Metz said the owner was evicted from her home more than two months ago but left behind her belongings, including the van. The dog and a cat were kept inside.

A tipster told police the 46-year-old owner occasionally would come to the van to let out the dog for a few minutes, put the dog back in the vehicle and leave. The cat died on an unknown date, police reported.

A few days ago, Warren police ordered the owner to move the van and find proper shelter for the dog. The woman -- local media is not publishing her name pending any formal charges -- did move the vehicle.

On Sunday afternoon, the woman returned but the dog was not in the van, according to the police report. Later, the dog again was spotted inside without food or water and living in filth.

In addition to taking the dog, police also confiscated the van.

About three hours later, a 26-year-old woman who identified herself as the owner's daughter phoned police. She said she had been watching the dog because her mother is ill but had no place to keep the pet. The daughter denied that the dog had been living in the van, police reported.

The dog remained individually caged Monday along with strays held at the Warren Police Department. Trembling slightly, the dog appeared calm and quiet, slightly thin but clean. A note on the cage stated the dog should not be returned to its owner.

Metz said the dog is expected to be held at the Macomb County Animal Shelter as the police investigation continues.

Neighborhood Map

For more information about the Interactive Animal Cruelty Maps, see the map notes.

Back to Top

References

Macomb Daily - Nov 27, 2007

« MI State Animal Cruelty Map

Not sure what these icons mean? Click here.

Note: Classifications and other fields should not be used to determine what specific charges the suspect is facing or was convicted of - they are for research and statistical purposes only. The case report and subsequent updates outline the specific charges. Charges referenced in the original case report may be modified throughout the course of the investigation or trial, so case updates, when available, should always be considered the most accurate reflection of charges.

For more information regarding classifications and usage of this database, please visit the database notes and disclaimer.