Ronda Burgess, an animal control officer
for the city of Battle Creek, said police went to the home after
an anonymous hunter reported seeing dogs chained and living in
barrels.
"He was hunting with his buddy and
didn't like what he saw," Burgess said.
Officers would not identify the
40-year-old owner and only said the residence is on P Drive
North.
He was taken into custody on an
unrelated Friend of the Court warrant.
Calhoun County Prosecutor John Hallacy
said Thursday his office is working with the police department,
which included obtaining search warrants. He said he couldn't
discuss the case further.
Animal Control officers went to the
home with a search warrant Wednesday afternoon and seized the
dogs and several items used to train dogs for fighting,
including a treadmill, bite sticks, weights and several kinds of
medication, possibly including steroids.
Burgess said most of the dogs appeared
malnourished, and officers did not find food; they found only
some rain water for the animals.
"On a scale of one to 10, with one
being the worst, most of the dogs were about a three," Burgess
said of the health of the animals.
One of the dogs was unable to walk.
All the dogs were taken to the Calhoun
County Animal Shelter in Battle Creek, where they are being held
and where on Thursday each was checked by Dr. Jeff LaHuis of the
Dickman Road Veterinary Clinic, who determined an estimated age,
checked weight and noted any injuries.
Most of the adult dogs were between 2
and 4 years old, LaHuis said, and four puppies were about 4
months old. Officers said they believe one of the dogs seized
was the mother of most of the rest.
Sgt. Edwina Keyser said the department
will seek through the courts the immediate forfeiture of the
animals because the owner refused to surrender ownership.
"This large of a seizure of animals
doesn't happen too often," Keyser said. "The dogs have been
impounded, and we will move for forfeiture immediately even as
charges are sought against the owner."
Once the dogs are forfeited, they will
be euthanized, Burgess said, because they are aggressive toward
other animals and can't be adopted.
Meanwhile, the city is paying about
$200 per day for housing.
Burgess said the cruelty charges carry
a maximum penalty of four years in prison.
Trace Christenson covers crime and
courts. He can be reached at 966-0685 or
tchrist@battlecr.gannett.com