STERLING HEIGHTS (WWJ) - Animal cruelty charges have been filed against two brothers accused of hoarding 53 dogs in Sterling Heights.
The Macomb County Animal Control rescued the dogs earlier this month while they were being loaded into a moving van. The dogs were in poor conditon, dehydrated, in need of food and covered in feces. One of the dogs had to be euthanized after it was attacked by other dogs in the moving van.
"They were in the back of a U-Haul, very emaciated, dehydrated, all covered in filth and some covered with wounds," Prosecutor Eric Smith told the Detroit Free Press. "It's a terrible case of animal abuse."
Smith told the newspaper that the brothers had recently been evicted and loaded the dogs in a U-Haul truck instead of calling animal control for help.
Both men are facing a felony charge of animal cruelty, which carries a sentence up to four years in prison. Their names are being withheld until arraignment. Both are expected to surrender to police, according to reports.
Animal control is asking the public for donations, which can be monetary or any items that can help the animals. Officials say they are accepting Pedigree dry dog food, blankets, towels, Lysol and bleach, anti-bacterial laundry soap and Dawn dishwashing liquid.