Dog abandoned in home for one year
Saginaw, MI (US)Incident Date: Tuesday, Apr 17, 2007
County: Saginaw
Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Convicted
Case Images: 2 files available
Defendant/Suspect: Jamie S. McGregor
Case Updates: 1 update(s) available
After more than a year of neglect, Cola the pit bull terrier finally is out of an empty house -- to the relief of neighbors.
Saginaw County Animal Care Center officials Thursday served a warrant at 3405 N. Michigan and liberated Cola.
Neighbors said the owner abandoned Cola, the house, its furniture and appliances in April 2007.
Since, the owner's girlfriend occasionally has fed and watered the dog but rarely took it outside for exercise, neighbors said.
"They feed it, but not often," said Rose A. King, who lives two doors down from the house.
Last May, King called the Animal Care Center about the dog's plight. When investigators arrived at the house, they cited the owner for not having a dog license but took no further action because the animal appeared well-fed.
In August, King and other neighbors picketed the house to draw attention to Cola's living conditions. King and other neighbors continued calling the Animal Care Center to complain.
"It was constantly barking," neighbor Kellie Burkey said. "But it hardly barks now. It doesn't have the energy. It has to be close to dead by now, with bones sticking out and sores on its legs.
"I called everyone, but no one wanted to deal with it. It's sad to wait until it gets to this point before anyone do anything about it."
Peeking through the house's windows, neighbors could see that Cola had shredded the remaining furniture and was living in its filth. A rank odor hung over the residence.
A neighbor called police Thursday [April 17, 2008] morning. Carrollton Township Police Officer Kip J. Humpert contacted the house's owner and advised him to visit the house. The owner never showed.
After obtaining a warrant, Animal Care Center Director Mark A. Wachner and officers broke down the front door, releasing a stench. Officers led a docile Cola, emaciated and shaking, outside, where he vigorously drank several bowls of water.
While inspecting the house, officers discovered several books and magazines on dog fighting.
Wachner said a veterinarian will evaluate Cola's health.
"We'll see what condition he's in, then go from there," he said.
Whether the owner will face charges, Wachner said, will depend on the veterinarian's diagnosis.
"It's a cruelty case," he said. "We'll pursue it. There's a lot to do yet, and the investigation is still pending."
Carrollton Township also will determine whether to cite the owner for code violations.
Case UpdatesJamie S. McGregor's lawyer says he's a conscientious owner who visits his dog regularly at the pound.
His neighbors have long claimed he's an absentee dog owner who went months without visiting his pet.
Wednesday [July 9, 2008], McGregor, 36, pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of animal cruelty, changing his original plea of not guilty.
For a year, neighbors maintain that Cola remained starved and neglected in a house at 3405 N. Michigan in Carrollton Township. Neighbors could smell the stench of animal waste from the residence throughout the neighborhood and, peeking through the window, saw shredded furniture.
After months of protest from neighbors, Animal Care Center officers broke down a door and retrieved the emaciated pit bull terrier April 17. The neighbors had picketed the home in August to draw attention to Cola's living conditions.
By pleading no contest, McGregor is not admitting guilt but is willing to accept punishment.
The plea allows McGregor to retain the possibility of reclaiming Cola.
"He would still like to get the dog back," said his attorney, David D. Hoffman of Saginaw.
Hoffman said his client regularly visits Cola at the Animal Care Center.
"I don't think he should get (Cola) back," said Rosa A. King, who lives two doors down from McGregor's house. King said condition of the house has not changed since Animal Care Center officials freed Cola.
District Judge Christopher S. Boyd referred the case to the probation department. McGregor faces a maximum sentence of 93 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. McGregor is free on bond.
Court records still list McGregor's residence at the Carrollton Township house. Neighbors claim McGregor abandoned the house in April 2007.
Cola resides at the Animal Care Center, getting regular meals and regaining health. If McGregor does not regain ownership of Cola, the Animal Care Center will euthanize the canine due to the agency's policy of not adopting out pit bulls. | Source: Saginaw News - July 10, 2008
Update posted on Jul 10, 2008 - 11:56AM |
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