Case Details

Hoarding - 26 cats, 7 reptiles, rabbits, ducks
Lapeer, MI (US)

Incident Date: Monday, Apr 17, 2006
County: Lapeer
Local Map: available
Disposition: Not Charged

Abuser names unreleased

Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

Case ID: 8160
Classification: Hoarding
Animal: cat, reptile, rodent/small mammal (pet), rabbit (pet), bird (other farmed)
View more cases in MI (US)
Login to Watch this Case

Animal control officers found a hedgehog, a python, a couple ducks and a King Breasted Dragon inside a home in downtown Lapeer. In all, animal control officers took about 50 animals out of the home.

They were called to the home early April 17 morning after someone called police to complain. When they got there, they say they found an absolute mess.

There were about 26 cats, seven reptiles, rabbits, two ducks and a hedgehog. They also found some animals that were already dead.

So far, no charges have been filed against the homeowners.

Case Updates

A couple suspected of animal neglect turned over all but two family cats to officials and moved into a relative's home while they cleaned up the property where the animals lived.

Lapeer police Sgt. Robert Govitz and Animal Control Chief Walt Rodabaugh, who are investigating the case, described the couple as "very cooperative" Tuesday.

Officers with a search warrant seized dozens of cats, other pets and reptiles from the home on Clay Street on April 17 while the couple and their children were on vacation.

A neighbor left in charge of the reptiles reported the squalid conditions to police after he went to the house to care for the animals.

Rodabaugh said the couple worked through the weekend to clean the home and agreed to sign off on all but two family cats. Rodabaugh visited the house early this week after the cleaning.

"It was a complete change from the week before," Rodabaugh said.

When Rodabaugh completes his report, it will be forwarded to the Lapeer County prosecutor for review and possible criminal charges.

Pending completion of tests on three dead animals found in the house - two rabbits and a parakeet - the couple could face misdemeanor charges, Govitz and Rodabaugh said.

Other animals and reptiles, including a lizard and python, that the couple were keeping for others have been released to the owners, Rodabaugh said.

"The people were very cooperative and, in my opinion, thought they were doing good, but it got out of control," Rodabaugh said.

The couple had been ticketed earlier for having too many dogs on the property.
Source: The Flint Journal - April 26, 2006
Update posted on Apr 26, 2006 - 11:09PM 

Neighborhood Map

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

Back to Top

Add this case to:   Del.icio.us | Digg | Furl Furl |

References

ABC 12
The Flint Journal - April 20, 2006

« MI State Animal Cruelty Map

Add to GoogleNot 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.



Send this page to a friend
© Copyright 2001-2007 Pet-Abuse.Com. All rights reserved. Site Map ¤ Disclaimer ¤ Privacy Policy