Three dead beagle hounds were found Thursday along the 14000 block of 60th Street after someone reported seeing a person throw garbage bags from a vehicle into a ditch, according to a sheriff's office news release.
Investigators were able to identify the vehicle's owner as a 64-year-old Geneva Township man by reviewing video from a surveillance camera at a private residence.
They then went to the Geneva Township man's residence in the 16000 block of 62nd Street, where deputies found a fourth dead dog chained inside its dog house and two live dogs on the property, the sheriff's office said.
The two dogs found alive were examined at the Bangor Veterinary Clinic and were taken to the Van Buren County Domestic Animal Control facility.
The dead dogs were identified as three beagles and a walker hound.
The sheriff's office said it planned to seek charges including animal cruelty from the county prosecutor. The man's name was not released.
Incident No: 1779-10
Incident Type: Animal Cruelty-Neglect, Dogs Law Violations.
Date and Time: Thursday, March 18, 2010.
Locations:
1. 14000 Block 60th Street, Geneva Township
2. 16000 Block 62nd Street, Geneva Township
Suspect: 64 Yr old Geneva Twp man.
Dogs Seized: 1 Male, 2-3 year old, Beagle and 1 Female, 2-3 year old, Walker Hound
Deceased Dogs: 3 Beagles, 1 Walker Hound.
Sheriff Dale R. Gribler reports that on Thursday, March 18, 2010, Van Buren County Deputies were dispatched to a Health and Safety complaint in the 14000 Block of 60th Street.
Upon contact, the witness indicated that a subject was seen throwing what appeared to be garbage bags from a vehicle into the ditch line that runs along the edge of the lightly traveled portion of 60th St. The witness was unable to get a license plate number, however, after the suspect left the scene, the witness opened one of the bags to possibly find something that would identify the suspect. Upon opening one of the bags the witness found a deceased Beagle dog and called immediately.
Deputies were able to review surveillance tape of the roadway from a private home in the area showing the suspect vehicle which was identified by the Deputies as belonging to a local resident.
Deputies checked the bags and found three deceased Beagle dogs dumped and proceeded to a residence on 62nd St believed to be the suspects. After making contact with the suspect, a 4th deceased dog was located still inside its dog house attached to a chain. Two live dogs were located on the property and seized. All six dogs in this incident were found to be in a state of malnutrition and emaciation.
The live dogs were examined by Dr. Weideman, of the Bangor Veterinary Clinic, and are currently being held at the Van Buren County Animal Control Facility.
Deputies will be seeking charges from the Van Buren County prosecutors Office.
