MICHIGAN -- An animal abuse investigation involving dozens of dogs is underway in Manistee County.
The Manistee County Sheriff's Office says an anonymous tip led to the animals being discovered at the Marilla Township home. Marilla Township is near Copemish.
When Manistee County Sheriff's Animal Control Officer J.R. Nelson responded to the home to investigate he found 40 to 50 dogs, many of them were underweight and covered in feces.
The owners of the dogs, a 46-year-old woman (Wanda Wiggins) and 60-year-old man (Maxwell Wiggins), told Officer Nelson that some of the dogs had whipworms. The owners said the dogs were being taken care of with the help of a veterinarian.
Twenty-five of the dogs were taken from the home and placed in shelters around Manistee County.
Investigators say more dogs may be removed and placed in shelters at another time.
The case is still under investigation by the Sheriff's Office. Once the case is complete, a copy of Officer Nelson's report will be sent to the Manistee County Prosecutor's Office for review.
For more information on ways you can help care for the dogs, contact the Manistee County Humane Society at (231)723-7387.
(upnorthlive.com - Mar 13, 2013)
