Group Petitions Missaukee County to stop Michigan's Largest Animal Hoarder

Michigan’s Largest Animal Hoarder
Allowed to have Animals
Michigan group petitions prosecutor
to file cruelty charges
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 13th, 2013

CONTACT: Pam Sordyl, (734) 718-7100, pmamichinfo@yahoo.com

Lake City, Mich. – On June 4, 2013 Puppy Mill Awareness of Southeast Michigan launched a petition to stop John Jones “JRT John” from having animals and costing tax payers more money to regulate, investigate and seize neglected animals.  The petition targeting the Missaukee prosecutor has reached over 1,000 signatures.

Link to online petition:

https://www.change.org/petitions/william-donnelly-jrt-john-animal-hoarder-needs-to-stop 

On May 23, 2013, Missaukee County seized approximately 160 animals from John Jones, Michigan's largest hoarder and puppy mill. Just a few years earlier, Barry County seized 85 animals after Jones violated zoning laws.  

“There's a pattern of cruelty here, and since officials didn't include probation in the latest case, he could easily move to another county or state and start all over again” stated Pam Sordyl, Founder of Puppy Mill Awareness of Southeast Michigan.  

The sheriff’s initial kennel inspection resulted in a multitude of violations to involving basic care standards, however the Missaukee County prosecutor only filed civil charges against Jones under Public Nuisance.

 

• According to the inspection reports, Mr. Jones is accused of housing over 160 dogs, including Jack Russells, Shiba Inus and Border Collies, who were discovered by the Roscommon Animal Control Officer to have insufficient water, shelter, sanitary conditions, and protection from the elements. (THE MICHIGAN PENAL CODE (EXCERPT) Act 328 of 1931) 

• In addition, Mr. Jones was performing his own removal of dew claws and tail docking on the puppies. Such actions are illegal in Michigan. These procedures are considered a surgery and can only be performed by a licensed veterinarian. (PUBLIC HEALTH CODE (EXCERPT) Act 368 of 1978)               

“Michiganians have no tolerance for animal neglect or cruelty and want those who commit such acts held accountable. The sheer number of animals involved in the Jones case is shocking.” Sordyl

Jones will be facing Chief Circuit Court Judge Honorable William M. Fagerman on Tuesday, June 25^th for felony charges for assaulting an officer and resisting arrest during the seizure. Undersheriff William Yancer hopes to include probation terms that will prevent Jones from having animals in other counties or states.

Puppy Mill Awareness is assisting local animal advocates by providing an ordinance called the Humane Pet Acquisition Proposal that would ban the retail sale of animals and protect families from purchasing sick animals. 

Learn more about Puppy Mill Awareness 
http://www.meetup.com/detroit-puppy-mill-awareness/about/

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