WEST BLOOMFIELD (WWJ) - Animal control officers in Oakland County have seized nine dogs from a West Bloomfield home in a case connected with dozens of dogs found in a cemetery garage over the weekend.
The animals were taken Monday from a home near Walnut Lake and Orchard Lake roads just two days after 33 dogs were rescued from a garage at Aaron Moishe Cemetery, on the corner of Little Mack and Masonic in Roseville. Officers responded to the home, on Hauser Way, after receiving information that several dogs connected to Roseville seizure were being kept at the location.
Police say both groups of dogs are connected to a 51-year-old woman who claimed to be running a rescue out of the garage. She previously told police she unexpectedly had to move the dogs out of rescue a facility in Oakland County and was planning to keep the dogs in the garage temporarily while some other type of location was secured.
Officials in both Macomb and Oakland counties are trying to determine whether laws were broken and if charges will be filed.
"It’s too early in the investigation to determine whether any laws were broken, but we are working with Macomb County to get a clearer picture about the conditions under which the dogs were kept," Bob Gatt, manager of the Oakland County Animal Shelter & Pet Adoption Center, said in a statement. "Meanwhile, our veterinary staff are evaluating the health of these nine dogs to determine what our next steps will be."
The woman is said to be cooperating with the investigation, which is ongoing.
State law does not require a license to operate an animal rescue. Local ordinances, however, determine how many and what kind of animals may be kept on a property. If investigators conclude any of the dogs was abused or neglected, charges will be sought.
Patty Trevino of the River Rouge Animal Shelter tells WWJ that local rescue groups are now scrambling to help the seized dogs.
She believes greater oversight is needed for well-meaning people who start their own animal rescues and become overwhelmed.
"It's just becoming too frequent, and it's going to be damaging; not only to the dogs or cats that are in that situation, but the bigger issue of what it does to reputable rescues. It casts doubt on them," Trevino said.
"It could interfere with donations; people reaching out for help," she added. "You know, it just goes on and on the damage that could be done from this."
Trevino said there are many rescues out there that are foster-home based -- not crowding too many animals into one house and "getting in over their head." She said any reputable rescue should be transparent in its activities, and have nothing to hide.