 Mistreatment of 29 dogs, 7 cats, 3 birds, 1 rabbit and 1 degu
Saline, MI (US)Incident Date: Monday, Jun 11, 2001
County: Washtenaw
Local Map: available
Disposition: Convicted
Abuser/Suspect: Michael Bernard Jordan
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| | Case ID: 393 | | | Classification: Neglect / Abandonment | | | Animal: cat, dog (non pit-bull), bird (pet), other companion animal, rabbit (pet) | | | View more cases in MI (US) |
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Jordan age 42, pleaded no contest on November 19th, 2001 to 3 misdemeanor counts of abandoning, cruelty to animals for case #DR1-01-0001212SM. On 6/11/01 Washtenaw County deputies and Humane Society staff took 41 animals from his barn. 29 dogs, 7 cats, 3 birds, 1 rabbit and 1 degu, a brown rodent similar to a squirrel were confiscated because they were malnourished and in unsanitary conditions.
Jordan lived at 9271 Yorkshire Rd, with his 3 children. His ex-wife, who had just regained access to the barn that the couple had owned, reported the case.
On November 9th, Jordan forfeited some of the animals to the HSHV and on November 14, 2001 the court awarded the HSHV custody of all the animals involved.
On January 9, 2002, Judge J. Cedric Simpson, ordered Jordan to serve 74 days in the Washtenaw County Jail, pay a $500 x 3 fine for each of the 3 animal cruelty counts and to pay $73,859 in restitution to the Humane Society of Huron Valley for the intensive medical care, recuperation and food.
The HSHV reported finding a very frightened large black dog standing in 6 inches of liquid feces. When the dog was brought out of the barn, he squinted in the sunlight. His bony body and face were covered in large matts. 2 days later, after painstaking grooming, they determined the dog to be a sweet Standard Poodle.
Only one container of dog food was located. Animals were found confined in cages that were too small for them; moreover, these cages were loaded with feces and urine. Dogs were found locked in closets and bathrooms. Several dogs were found chained in the garage. Many of the animals had worms and parasites. A great Dane was found in the closet with a small empty cage that had fur remnants and blood present.
An Irish Setter, an adolescent Pit bull were some of the other dogs found in similar conditions to the poodle. The short hair dogs had sores on their paws and/or bodies. 2 golden retrievers were found in a 92 degrees disabled old truck with the windows rolled up. One of the dogs was in at least 5 inches of feces with his carrier door up against a retaining wall.
Some of the animals were too weak to walk and had to be carried to see the veterinarians. Many had other serious health problems, such as burns and scalding from lying in urine. Muscles had atrophied from starvation and confinement and in some a protruding spine had caused skin abrasions.
A dead and decaying pony was also found in the barn at 10575 Saline-Milan Rd. According to the court documents, Jordan stated the pony had died of old age several months earlier, but he had not disposed of the animal's body.
The cats also suffered. They were underweight with no food present. Only 1 litter box was located in the house and it was overflowing with dirty litter and feces.
The rabbit was found in the basement in a small hutch. It was sitting on at least 6 inches of its own feces and urine. There was further evidence that another rabbit had perished.
The birds were in better health, but in need of beak trimming. The Macaw was found in the basement near the overflowing litter box.
The degu was found in a dirty aquarium. It was underweight and died about 2 weeks after being removed from the residence.
The level of neglect and abuse overwhelmed the rescuers. The stench from the animal waste in the garage was so strong that it caused 2 humane society workers to vomit.
At the time of his plea, Jordan had already obtained 2 more dogs, a pit bull and a St. Bernard. Further it was discovered that he had contacted another animal rescue organization about getting yet another dog.
Before sentencing Jordan, Judge Simpson stated:
�h I have concerns, given the circumstances, that you even profess to be an animal lover, and could allow such conditions to occur
�h You had ample time to improve conditions. The fact of the matter is�Kyou showed certain cowardice as a human being to allow the animals to suffer that way.
�h There is a saying that we are judged by how we view and treat our "lessors"�Kwhat you did here was an abomination of human nature.
�h Despite all of your words, you cared more about yourself than those animals.
�h I debated long and hard last night about your sentencing...The constitution won't allow me to make you suffer the way those animals did. I wanted to exact a pound of flesh, but I realize that I worry most about other animals that may cross your path�K
Judge Simpson then delivered the following sentence:
1. $500 fine for each count of animal cruelty, totaling $1500.
2. Full restitution $73,859 to the Humane Society
3. A completes psychiatric evaluation, and full compliance with counseling recommendations.
4. No animal ownership or even temporary possession for 2 full years
5. 2 years probation
6. 92 days jail time, 12 days already served, and 80 days suspended.
7. No contact with anyone involved with HSHV and no coming to the facility.
While all this was going on, the Humane Society of Huron Valley also were involved in the rescue of another cruelty case involving 40 dachshund mixes. If you would like to make a donation to the Humane Society of Huron Valley, contact them at 3100 Cherry Hill Rd. Ann Arbor, MI 48105 or by phone at 734-662-5585. Neighborhood MapFor more information about the Interactive Animal Cruelty Maps, see the map notes.
Back to Top References | Washtenaw County 14A-1 District Court papers | | The Humane Society of Huron Valley Shelter Life News, Winter 2002 | | The Belleville-Area Independent |
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