EAST BAY TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WWJ/AP) -- Authorities seized more than 160 dogs on Friday that were found packed in vehicles, kennels and trailers on a blighted property in a rural area outside Traverse City, Up North Live reported.
Local authorities first arrived at the rural area -- sits in East Bay Township in Grand Traverse County -- to enforce blight violations, but discovered 20 dogs roaming the property without access to food or water; one dog was dead.
Officers found campers and trailers filled with dogs while others were locked in kennels.
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Grand Traverse County Health Department's Animal Control and the Grand Traverse Sheriff's Office entered the owner's house and found 100 dogs in the 1,150 square foot home.
A bag with five dead puppies was also recovered.
Animal control officers from the county were assisted by Cherryland Humane Center in recovering the animals. About 100 dogs were taken to local veterinarians for medical care
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Jamie Croel, county animal control supervisor, called the severe case of animal hoarding "incredibly sad."
Authorities are currently investigating. No other details have been released.
The East Bay Township supervision said the property was inaccessible to police in the past. The owner had until Friday, Jan. 28 to clean up and satisfy several blight violations. If efforts were deemed unsatisfactory, the East Bay Township Junk Ordinance would allow authorities legal entry into the home.