February 5, 2016
Dear Oakland County Commissioners,
Thank you for reviewing
our concerns list (attached) regarding Oakland County Animal Control’s lack of response
to animal neglect complaints, enforcement of various Michigan laws and gross mishandling of hoarding cases.
Of most importance in this matter, we have pet
stores importing hundreds of ill animals, putting them on display sick and
selling them to unsuspecting families sick. This should be something the
department takes the lead on. We have hoarding cases with repeat failed inspections
and the department is choosing to monitor, rather than enforce. In fact, the
department has not even acknowledged the Farmington Hills Golden Retriever case
as a hoarding situation. Experts have determined prosecution is essential in these
types of cases.
Without policies and procedures there is no
accountability.
On February 4, Mark Newman provided you with a
three-page narrative in an attempt to respond to our concerns list, leaving even
more concerns and no grievance process for resolving these issues.
Regarding the Farmington Hills kennel, which is our example of how bad it really
is, Mr. Newman completely contradicts testimony provided by Senior Animal
Control Officers. I have outlined my responses to his summary of the case:
- The Farmington Hills Golden Retriever breeding
dogs were not found in ‘good condition’, are still not in ‘good condition’
and have not been seen by an independent veterinarian. The Michigan Penal Code (MCL 750.50) addresses
adequate care - such as providing veterinary care, sanitary conditions,
exercise, shelter, food, water, etc. We believe the following items are in
violation of our cruelty laws:
“There was no water source
available. As we entered the basement, there was a numbing foul odor of
ammonia that is consistent with a large amount of urine. The cages were
too small and of inadequate size for the dogs. The water buckets for each
individual dog had water, but also included dirt, hair and grime. The dog
also had hair loss on its tail end and what appeared to be open sores. The
floor and walls were covered in what appeared to be feces, mud, hair and
wood shavings. Upon entering the main level, the conditions were
abhorrent. The bird cages appeared to have not been cleaned in quite some
times as it was filled with bird feces and did not contain an acceptable
water source. Upon entering the
main kennel, there was a cloud of flies and disgusting odor. Dirt and hair
was caked on the wire fencing that was used to contain the dogs. The dog
runs had feces caked onto the floors. There was no spot on the floors for
the animals to lie down or sit without being in filth. Several of the dogs
were itching and biting themselves nonstop which is consistent with a flea
infestation”. – Senior Animal Control Officer.
“Kennel is in such
abominable condition that the animals cannot be kept clean or in general
good health. Flea/insect infestation. This kennel is not
structurally sound and poses a health concern for the animals being kept
in the facility. Some dogs were found to be in cages that were not of
proper size for the dog, making it difficult for the animal to stand and
turn around.” – Senior Animal Control
Officer.
The “handful” with fleas Mr. Newman cited was actually a “flea
infestation”. The kennel worker reported and photographed evidence of
dental disease, ear infections, eye infections, missing hair, open wounds,
long toenails, and matting.
Fast forward to 2015, there have been five more complaints. One puppy sold
had fleas, a tick and ear infections. Oakland County Animal Control did
not respond by checking any of the other dogs in the kennel. It does not
appear the house or basement are being inspected, leaving many dogs and
birds without oversight.
There are no photos on file at Animal Control showing compliance and there
is a DVD walk-thru missing, yet the Farmington Hills Police Department has
it cataloged as evidence.
- There is no law stating that repeat offenders
are allowed 10 days to address non-compliances. During an animal welfare check on 9/10/15, the Farmington Hills kennel failed the inspection. Photos taken
during this inspection clearly show the kennel has declined to the same
condition as the 2013 complaint. (Photos attached). The kennel was
provided an opportunity to “clean-up” and then failed the 9/17/15 follow-up inspection. The photos taken during
these inspections show an accumulation of feces, dirt, mud, debris and
hair which clearly indicates this kennel is unsanitary and is not being
cleaned on a regular basis.
- In the last eight years there have been 18
formal complaints with the Oakland County Animal Control, 35 kennel inspections or
welfare checks by the Oakland County Animal Control and 13 failed inspections.
Petland Novi displaying and selling sick puppies is
another example of the department’s failure to protect animals and the public:
- Animals on display at Petland Novi are sick
and sold sick. My
organization has collected 25 complaints related to sick animals sold in 2015
-- and we are not a reporting agency! Mr. Newman stated their officers
found no evidence of animal cruelty or abuse at Petland Novi, yet one
shopper observed sickly and lethargic puppies. Some were urine stained, others
had bloated bellies, rashes, and hernias (Photos attached). In December
2015, one black Poodle puppy was observed pooping blood. This and three
other puppies specifically mentioned in the 12/1 and 12/10 complaints were
not mentioned in the case report (attached). The case report did not even
mention that the puppies were sold or in quarantine. Where were these
puppies? Pet stores are required to keep disposition records. Was the
poodle pooping blood sold that way?
- Not providing adequate veterinary care to keep
an animal in good health does violate our cruelty laws. “Adequate care"
means the provision of sufficient food, water, shelter, sanitary
conditions, exercise, and veterinary medical attention in order to maintain an animal
in a state of good health. Mr.
Newman clears all concerns simply by saying that a veterinarian is overseeing
the puppies at the pet store. This is a veterinarian that has a contract
with the store and receives new clients as part of the 3-free exams
offered. It is the department’s responsibility for finding out why so many
puppies are on display sick and sold sick even though a veterinarian is
overseeing them. This is not “adequate” veterinary care.
- A prior FOIA request shows the department did
not respond to any complaints over a three year period (August 2009 – July
2011). Mr. Newman claims that
“the department has always and will always respond to citizen complaints
of animal abuse or cruelty.” On January 21, 2016, I filed a complaint related to the Family
Puppy store regularly shipping sick puppies to Toledo, per a whistle blower employee. It was being covered
by several media outlets. The department supervisor stated they will only
respond to food, water and shelter complaints and it is not their duty to
inspect pet stores. I even asked Mr. Shankin if a puppy was pooping blood
on display at a pet store, would they respond? He stated, no. They will
only respond to food, water and shelter.
- Families who purchased sick puppies from pet
stores are still referred to the Michigan Department of Agriculture. Mr. Newman stated it is unfortunate the MDARD
dropped the Pet Shop Program, but did not agree to pick up the duties for
enforce the Pet Shop Laws while other cities are. Some cities like
Dearborn and Warren have even prosecuted irresponsible pet store owners. I
agree, these cases could also be considered civil matters, but if there is
a pattern of complaints and contagious diseases reported, the department
should take the lead. If one sick dog is sold, there are likely many more
that go unreported. Petland was exposed in the news repeatedly for selling
sick animals back in 2009/10. https://youtu.be/pGC5P5HvouU
To learn more about the problems at Petland Novi, please read my report
prepared for the Novi City Council. http://puppymillawarenessmichigan.blogspot.com/2015/03/top-ten-reasons-petland-is-michigans.html
Regarding “bite complaints”, there is no evidence
that bite forms are processed with the Health Department. I am attaching a FOIA
response from the Health Department stating there are no bite forms on file for
the Oakland County pet stores listed, yet we have at least one bite form filled
out by the Novi Police (attached). I also have testimony from the Health
Department stating they never received bite forms from OCAC. In 2013, Joanie
Toole claimed the department responded to 600 bite complaints in one year. Can
these be found in the Michigan Disease Surveillance System?
Mr. Newman did not address all of our concerns. We
are still looking for the following:
- All polices and procedures governing how the director, supervisor
and officers respond to complaints and enforce the laws.
- How many cruelty cases have been submitted for prosecution in the
last three years?
- What services are offered to villages, cities and townships?
Specifically, what has been provided to each municipality? Are all
provided the same services?
Thank
you,
Pam
Sordyl
Founder Puppy Mill Awareness of SE Michigan
