Photo from the Kent County Sheriff Department Facebook page.

Photo from the Kent County Sheriff Department Facebook page.

Photo from the Kent County Sheriff Department Facebook page.

The Kent County Sheriff Department has announced the addition of three new K9 teams. They recently activated two additional teams (for 24-hour K9 coverage) on patrol and one in corrections. 

“From left to right, meet Blu, Duke, and Shadow, who were each picked after an extensive selection process by their respective handlers,” it said in an announcement of the KCSD Facebook page. “This is a first go-around for Deputies Whelan, Wierda, and Gonzalez, too, who kicked their K9 handling career off with a tedious 6-week training academy in Indiana, in which they were only able to come home to see their families on the weekends which was a huge commitment.

“These dogs come to us from Germany and Hungry through Von Liche Kennel in Denver Indiana, and they have already proven to be absolute rock stars on duty as they hit the ground running (quite literally) right on their first shifts. We are excited to share their progress with you in the coming months, and again want to thank our donors who have made this program possible. The K9 Unit remains 100 percent donation funded, which is incredible, and it speaks to this community’s commitment to engage in its own safety and well-being by investing in one of the most valuable and effective tools that we have in law enforcement.”

Dogs will receive urgent medical care at emergency shelter

Mio, Mich.—The ASPCA^® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals^®) Field Investigations and Response team is assisting the Oscoda County Sheriff’s Department and Oscoda County Animal Control with the seizure of more than 50 dogs from a large, substandard, unlicensed breeding facility in Mio, Mich. The dogs were seized from the property Monday afternoon after warrants were served, and criminal charges are expected to follow. This investigation began after authorities received complaints of abuse and neglect at the facility.

The dogs—ranging from English Bull Dogs to Schnauzers—were discovered living in small wire cages stacked in a crowded, filthy basement and in ramshackle outdoor pens. Most dogs had no access to food or water, and responders on the scene found many of the dogs to be unsocialized and fearful when handled by humans. The ASPCA believes the facility to be a puppy mill—a large-scale breeding operation designed to generate profits at the cost of the animals’ health and well-being.

“These dogs were living a very sad existence,” said Tim Rickey, vice president of ASPCA Field Investigations and Response. “While the puppies at breeding facilities are sold for profit, their parents are often kept there for years, subjected to incessant breeding and typically lacking routine veterinary care and basic socialization, resulting in a very poor quality of life. Our goal is to remove these dogs, help them become healthy, and find them homes once custody is determined by the court.”

“We hope this investigation will emphasize that cruelty will not be tolerated in Oscoda County or the surrounding counties,” said Andrew Thompson, Oscoda County Animal Control Officer. “We encourage the public to report any suspected cruelty to law enforcement or animal control.”

The dogs are being transported to a temporary shelter established by the ASPCA in an undisclosed location, where they will receive medical exams and veterinary care. ASPCA responders will care for the dogs at the temporary shelter until their custody is determined by the court. Additionally, the ASPCA is collecting forensic evidence and providing legal support to strengthen the case.

Other organizations assisting with the sheltering operation include Roscommon County Animal Shelter (Prudenville, Mich.), Quincy Humane Society (Quincy, Ill.), Nebraska Humane Society (Omaha, Neb.) and Animal Rescue Foundation (Walnut Creek, Calif.).

Michigan is among a minority of states without any regulation of puppy mills. The ASPCA urges state lawmakers to pass H.4898, a bill that would require large-scale dog breeders to register with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, and to follow guidelines that would help ensure the humane treatment of dogs in these facilities. For more information about puppy mills and how to fight animal cruelty, join the ASPCA Advocacy Brigade at www.aspca.org.

In 2013, the ASPCA seized more than 150 dogs from a puppy mill in Lake City, Mich. at the request of the Missaukee County Sheriff’s Office. Over the past six years, the ASPCA Field Investigations and Response team has rescued thousands of dogs from puppy mills across the nation. Furthermore, the ASPCA’s Government Relations department has been active in promoting legislation at both the state and federal levels to strengthen regulations and raise minimum standards of care for dogs in puppy mills.

New guidelines issued by the state last week specified that while dogs can now legally carry a firearm during their own special hunting season, they must wear hunter orange—just like their human counterparts.

“What’s the use in that?” asked one angry dog owner. “Dogs aren’t going to see the orange anyway. Don’t they only see in black and white?”

The state authorized dogs to hunt small game last fall, after several packs of canines picketed the state capitol, carrying signs that said, “Dogs have the right to bear arms” and “Dogs are people, too.” The one that convinced authorities, however, said “Friends don’t let friends hunt duck (without a license).”

“We just thought it was time to give dogs a chance,” said one state senator, who asked not be named. “We all know they like to go hunting with their owners, and now they have their own special season. Besides, by the time you add up the money we can make on them buying a hunting license, a barking permit, a firearm permit, and us getting a cut of the hunter orange sales, the state could be raking in some serious puppy chow.”

A group of cats lobbied against giving dogs the right to hunt. “Anyone who chases his own tail is a serious threat to society,” said a spokesman for the felines. “Give them a gun and soon it will be open season on cats. Nine lives go pretty fast.”

If you have a dog that wants to take advantage of this special hunting season, get him ready now because the new hunting season for dogs starts April 1—April Fools Day!

(Grand Rapids, MI) — The Kent County Animal Shelter and Humane Society of West Michigan are teaming up to host a low-cost vaccination and dog licensing clinic on Saturday February 19 from noon to 3 pm at the Kent County Animal Shelter, 740 Fuller Avenue NE, Grand Rapids, MI. This clinic is open to all dogs in the West Michigan area.
At the clinic the Humane Society will offer distemper vaccinations for $10, microchipping for $10, and rabies vaccinations for $15. This clinic is for dogs only and will only be offered to those purchasing or renewing their dog license. No appointment is necessary.
Dog licenses are $11 for altered dogs and $24 for unaltered dogs. For senior owners (62+), licenses are $6 for altered dogs and $12 for unaltered dogs. All prices double after March 1 and owners are subject to citation and/or misdemeanor charges. All licenses require proof of current rabies vaccine and spay/neuter status. Licenses are also available at the Kent County Animal Shelter and Humane Society of West Michigan.
For more information on the dog licensing vaccination clinic, please call Humane Society of West Michigan at (616) 453-8900 extension 210 or the Kent County Animal Shelter at (616) 632-7300.