Seven puppies seized
Ionia, MI (US)

Incident Date: Friday, Apr 4, 2008
County: Ionia

Disposition: Not Charged

Person of Interest: Theresa Schumacher

Seven puppies are now in safe new homes after living in a single apartment rented by Theresa Schumacher and boyfriend Andrew Snyder.

The Ionia Department of Public Safety performed a wellness check Friday, April 4 after receiving tips that something might be afoul in the Eagle's Nest complex.

"There was not enough room for the people and the puppies," said Ionia County Animal Control officer Gordon Douglas, who received a call from the DPS Friday for assistance on the matter. "The pups were taken to a shelter and all have been adopted to new homes. It didn't take long at all."

It wasn't the first time Schumacher has allegedly had a problem taking care of animals.

Five dead animals were found at her foreclosed Montcalm County residence in March, leading to an investigation that could lead to either a misdemeanor offense or a felony charge.

"It would depend on the circumstances in which the animals died," Douglas said of the pending investigation. "The misdemeanor would be animal neglect, but the felony would result from animal killing and torturing."

Ionia DPS director David Bulling said that officials warned Snyder and Schumacher on Friday that the animals' living conditions were unacceptable and they had to find alternative homes for the animals. She was not issued a citation in regards to the issue.

In a follow-up call Monday, Bulling said it appeared Snyder and Schumacher had vacated the premises, but not before their animals were taken to the Ionia County Animal Shelter.

If it somehow becomes an issue again, Douglas said there will be no more warnings or leniency. In general, warnings with specific requests are issued on a first call, unless children are involved or the nature of the incident is extreme. If children are involved, Child Protective Services is called.

"We've already dealt with them once," said Douglas. "They know what'll happen. They have issues pending and we're not giving them another opportunity to clean up their mess. Legal action is the next step if we deal with them again."

References

• Sentinel-Standard - April 8, 2008

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