Dogs, farm animals living in squalor
Morenci, MI (US)

Incident Date: Thursday, Jul 8, 2004
County: Lenawee

Disposition: Alleged

Alleged:
» Charles P. VanPelt
» Karen VanPelt

A Morenci couple have been charged with 24 counts of cruelty to animals after an investigation by the Lenawee County Sheriff's Department.

Acting on a tip, Deputy Gina Meadows, the department's animal control officer, visited the VanPelts' rural property and found numerous farm animals living in squalid, neglected conditions, deputies said.

Ten dogs were found not to be licensed and a dead ferret was discovered in a cage, leading to additional charges.

Karen Vanpelt, 30, was arraigned on June 29 in Lenawee County District Court on 24 counts of animal cruelty, one count of not burying the ferret and 10 counts of having unlicensed dogs. Charles Vanpelt was arraigned Tuesday in district court on the same charges. Both are free on personal recognizance bonds, and pretrial hearings have been set for both on Aug. 12.

Lenawee District Court
425 N. Main St.
Judicial Bldg. 1st Floor
Adrian, MI 49221

References

• toledoblade.com
• The Lenawee Connection

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