Authorities: 14 Of 98 Dogs Seized From Michigan Home Euthanized
PORT HURON, Mich. (WWJ/AP) - Authorities say 14 out of more than 100 animals found in a Michigan couple's home have been euthanized because they were sick.
The Times Herald of Port Huron reports the St. Clair County Sheriff's Office says the dogs that were euthanized were showing symptoms of parvovirus, an often fatal and highly contagious disease.
Some of the other rescued dogs remain at the county's animal control facility, some have been placed in homes and some are in the care of animal rescue groups.
Sixty-six-year-old Michael Higgins and 56-year-old Lynn Higgins are charged with abandoning or cruelty to animals after 98 dogs and three cats were found on the first floor of their house, in 7500 block of South River Road in Cottrellville Township.
Authorities say the animals were removed after a neighbor complained about a foul smell and loud noises coming from the property, about 50 miles northeast of Detroit.
Sheriff Tim Donnellon said it appeared the couple had been breeding, showing and rescuing dogs which were found to be living in what he called "inhumane conditions."
Donnellon said of 22 of the dogs were taken by Animal Control on June 14. The same day, the homeowners allegedly turned over almost two dozen dogs to a Colorado-based Norwegian Buhund rescue, and another nine dogs were surrendered by the homeowners to the St. Clair County Humane Society.
On June 15, deputies and the Animal Control officer returned with a search warrant and took 38 more dogs, along with three cats. At this time it was discovered, officials said, that the homeowners had given up six dogs to the Blue Water Humane Society before deputies returned.
The Norwegian Buhund, Norrbottenspets and Norwegian Spets mix dogs — many of them puppies — were covered in feces and urine, but seemed to be well fed and in overall good physical shape.
The Higginses are due back in court next month.
The remaining animals have already been placed in homes or are being evaluated.
In a Facebook message posted on Wednesday, the Norwegian Buhund Club of America thanked everyone who made donations to help with the care of the more than two-dozen dogs taken in by their group.
"All 29 buhunds have had their all their shots," the post reads. "Each has seen a vet and been dewormed. Some have already been neutered or spayed and Tommie has had surgery and is getting his follow-up visits to the vet. Some of our rescues are thriving in their foster homes and forever homes, as you have seen on the Michigan Buhund Gang post. Some are enjoying having beds of their own and families of their own.
"We have others like Tommie, Timmie, Rocky, Sylvester, Wolfie, Lana, Sally, Travis, Buddy, and Teddy when his is completely, well still all need loving homes. In the meantime they are getting wonderful care in their foster homes and learning to be happy dogs. I am proud of the group that jumped in with both feet and helped to get our buhunds all safe." [Read more, including about how you can apply to adopt one of these dogs, HERE].
There are also several dogs seized in this case are at the St. Clair County Animal Control Adoption Center. [More info].
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