At the scene, St. Clair County Sheriff Tim Donnellon said investigators were still trying to determine the exact number of dogs taken from the house, but it was at least 70.
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Police in St. Clair County were able to rescue more than 50 dogs from a Cottrellville Township home this week, but several other dogs remain inside the residence.
Neighbor Greg Bosel reported the house to authorities, he said, because of the constant barking and the stench.
Some dogs were seized Tuesday, but an animal control officer who returned Wednesday to take the remaining animals was refused entry. Deputies found about 75 dogs in the 1,200 square foot house, including Norwegian buhunds and Norrbottenspets.
St. Clair County Sheriff Tim Donnellon told WXYZ: ‘I can’t recall in the last nearly 30 years, 75 plus dogs free roaming in the first floor of a house, that’s new for us’. On the same day, homeowners turned over another 23 dogs to a Colorado based Norwegian Buhund rescue who arranged foster homes for the animals throughout MI.
Animal Control removed 38 dogs and three cats Wednesday.
In all, there were 98 Norwegian Buhund, Norbottenspet and Norwegian Spet mixed dogs and three house cats in the home.
The dogs living inside the house all appeared to be in good overall physical condition; however they were covered in feces and urine from the poor living conditions. “Now, they were not without food or water but they were covered in feces and urine – they were unsanitary”. He said animal cruelty charges were a possibility.
According to the sheriff’s office, some of the dogs were seized and removed from the house on Tuesday. A search warrant is being sought by police to enter the home.
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Police say the incident remains under investigation and the couple faces possible code violations and criminal charges. Sheriff Donnellon stated that the owners were breeding and rescuing dogs, but they did not find any evidence that they were selling the dogs.
