Pet-Abuse.Com - Animal Abuse Case Details: 50 animals removed from home

50 animals removed from home
Grosse Pointe Farms, MI (US)

Incident Date: Thursday, May 11, 2006
County: Wayne
Local Map: available
Disposition: Convicted

Abuser/Suspect: Sylvia Gray

Case Updates: 3 update(s) available

Case ID: 8530

Classification: Hoarding

Animal: cat, dog (non pit-bull), bird (pet)

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Suspect was in animal welfare field

Child or elder neglect

A woman is trouble for keeping a large amount of animals in her Grosse Pointe Farms home and possibly jeopardizing her two teenage kids. Rescue crews removed 42 cats, three dogs and six birds from a home in Grosse Pointe Farms. One of the rescuers who assisted in removing the animals said the inside of the home was horrible. "There was feces and urine everywhere," said Amber Sitko, a member of the rescue crew. "The ammonia smell was so strong it burned my eyes."

The 57-year-old resident was a member of an animal rescue group, and was to provide short-term foster care for the animals, but instead, is accused of stealing some of the animals and violating an ordinance that allows each household only two cats and dogs, Local 4 reported. "I mean, if you want to own a kennel, get some land and do it where it's appropriate," said Marcy Wulfmeir, a neighbor.

Rescue crews said the household conditions were horrible and some animals could be suffering from respiratory problems. A veterinarian will examine the animals, Thursday, to determine their health conditions. Officials also became concerned over the woman's two children, a 14-year-old boy and a 15-year-old girl. The children were referred to Child Protection Services.

Case Updates

A woman who exposed her two adopted children to the excrement from 42 cats, three dogs and six birds kept in her suburban Detroit home has been sentenced to two years of supervised probation.

Sylvia Gray, 57, pleaded guilty in July to one count each of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and animal abuse. Other misdemeanor charges were dismissed in exchange for Gray's pleas.

According to the sentence issued this month in Grosse Pointe Farms District Court, Gray must serve 40 hours of community service. Probation officers will occasionally visit to be certain she limits the number of pets she keeps.

Gray had been a volunteer with the nonprofit All About Animals Rescue, which claimed she had refused to return cats she had taken into her home. A police search of the house in May revealed dozens of animals and filthy conditions.

The children have been returned to her care, but her home has been condemned for human habitation.

The dogs, cats and birds have been turned over to All About Animals, which will attempt to find new homes for them.

Source: The Detroit News - Sept 30, 2006
Update posted on Oct 2, 2006 - 10:51AM

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A woman accused of keeping 42 cats, three dogs and six birds in her home and exposing two adopted children to the filth of excrement strewn throughout her home pleaded no contest to reduced charges Wednesday in Grosse Pointe Farms Municipal Court.

Sylvia Gray, 57, faces fines and up to 93 days in jail for accepting responsibility for one count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and one count of animal abuse.

Other misdemeanor charges were dismissed in exchange for the plea.

She will be sentenced Aug. 23.

Gray had been a volunteer with an animal rescue organization, which claimed she had refused to return cats that she had taken into her care in her home on Lakeview Street.

Police searched her home in May, finding the home crowded with animals and in filthy condition.

City ordinance limits homes to two dogs and two cats.

The children, who briefly were taken from Gray's custody, now live with her at her mother's home nearby, said Grosse Pointe Farms Detective Lt. Rick Rosati. The city declared the home on Lakeview to be uninhabitable, and it remains vacant.

The dogs, cats and birds are in the hands of All About Animals, a rescue organization that will attempt to find new homes for them, Rosati said.

Source: The Detroit News - July 27, 2006
Update posted on Jul 27, 2006 - 2:31AM

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A 57-year-old Grosse Pointe Farms woman who kept dozens of cats in her home is nearing a plea deal with prosecutors.

Sylvia Gray was in Grosse Pointe Farms Municipal Court on Wednesday to answer to charges of animal abuse. Detective Lt. Rich Rosati said Gray will likely now face one charge of animal abuse and one count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. She had two teenage children living with her.

Rosati said Gray will likely get probation and would not be allowed to have an animal.

Gray originally faced a larceny charge, two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and multiple counts of animal abuse.

Gray was a volunteer at All About Animals Rescue in Eastpointe, which takes in animals. Members of the agency told police she refused to return up to 20 cats in her care after her relationship with the agency ended. An investigation led police to inspect Gray's home May 10 to see whether she had complied with a city ordinance that limits the number of animals per house to two dogs and two cats.

When her house, on Lakeview off of Kercheval, was searched, police discovered 42 cats, three dogs, six birds, floors covered with cat feces and a stench that permeated the home.

Gray is due back in court July 26.

Source: Detroit Free Press - July 13, 2006
Update posted on Jul 13, 2006 - 10:13AM

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Local 4 News - May 11, 2006

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50 animals removed from homeGrosse Pointe Farms, MI (US)

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50 animals removed from home
Grosse Pointe Farms, MI (US)