DEARBORN HEIGHTS, Mich. – Twenty-seven “chihuahua-type dogs,” including four puppies, were removed from a Dearborn Heights home in connection with an animal cruelty investigation, officials said.
Animal cruelty investigation
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On Wednesday, July 2, Dearborn Heights Ordinance and Animal Control Department executed a search warrant at a home on Fleming Street.
“The warrant was issued following a police matter involving the killing of a dog, resulting in a case of animal cruelty/killing/torturing in the second degree, (a felony), coupled with animal abandonment/cruelty (a misdemeanor),” according to a release from the city of Dearborn Heights on July 4.
While officers were investigating, they discovered that nearly 30 "chihuahua-type dogs had been living in the home."
At the home, the officers were met by horrific conditions regarding sanitation, smell and animal waste throughout the home.
27 dogs removed
Due to this, the 20th District Court issued a search and seizure warrant, which allowed for the removal of all the dogs.
The Dearborn Heights animal control officers responded to the house, along with an officer who was at the scene during the initial animal cruelty investigation.
They were also assisted by the Redford, Garden City and Highland Park animal control agencies due to the number of dogs that needed to be rescued.
Animal control officers put on protective gear and entered the home after the resident granted them access, according to the release.
They rescued 27 dogs, including a litter of four puppies and their mother, from the home.
Once the resident formally surrendered the dogs, they were taken to the Michigan Humane shelter for care.
“We greatly appreciate the efforts of our neighboring communities’ Animal Control colleagues who stepped up to help out,” said Ordinance & Animal Control Director Lee Lafeve. “We could not have done this task nearly as effectively had it not been for their help – as well as well as the assistance we received from the Dearborn Heights Police Department. Everyone’s professionalism and love of animals was clearly shown throughout this incident."
House deemed ‘unfit for habitation’
After that, the city determined that the home was “unfit for habitation.”
The resident was given time to retrieve belongings before the house was condemned.