In seeking charges against Margaret Elaine Komorny, an Animal Control officer told the magistrate Thursday that she found about 90 dogs and 20-21 cats “living in poor living conditions,” including overcrowded cages stacked on top of each other, feces and urine-soaked cages. The animals lacked veterinary care for medical issues, including one with a “busted eardrum,” the Animal Control officer said.
“A busted eardrum? Was that an older dog? I’m totally unaware of all that, I really am,” said Komorny, who owns and operates Raisin Tree Farm on Suntar Valley Drive. “I would have to have my own veterinarian have access to what they’re talking about. ...
“They were not kept in overcrowded cages. They weren’t even kept in cages all the time. They were in play areas,” the 76-year-old Komorny added. “These dogs actually got to go outside. ... They were not soaked, and they were not dirty; they were not. I have people here every day who are cleaning them, washing them and feeding them three times a day.”
The prosecutor’s office has charged Komorny with animal cruelty to 10 or more animals, which carries a penalty of up to four years in prison, “arising out of circumstances” at her farm in April.
Arraignment is expected to occur May 29 in Livingston County District Court in Howell.
Prosecutor William Vailliencourt said his office has not yet received any additional reports relating to the seizure Wednesday. He did not speculate whether additional charges would be issued.
Ingham County Animal Control authorities also recently seized 15 dogs Komorny said she boarded at a kennel. She said she does not know why authorities took those dogs.
It was not immediately known if Komorny faced charges in Ingham County.
The Livingston County Sheriff’s Department served a search warrant on Komorny’s farm, where it found large-breed dogs and puppies — mainly poodle mixes — living in substandard conditions, said Kaitlin Sanderson, public information officer with the U.S. Humane Society.
Their fur was “extremely matted” and they were suffering from a multitude of untreated medical conditions, including dental and eye problems. These dogs were allegedly being sold online, Sanderson said.
Debbie Oberle, Livingston County Animal Control director, said the dogs also included schnauzers and wheaten terriers. The animals ranged in age from 4 weeks or 5 weeks to 5 years or 6 years.
“We are concerned about the overcrowding and the condition of the dogs on the property,” Oberle said.
Komorny said Animal Control officers told her during a previous visit that they “did not want the dogs on top of each other, just single on the floor.” She said she fixed that issue as well as other issues the officers mentioned.
Komorny denied that she was operating a puppy mill, calling her farm a “kennel.”
“Puppy mills, normally, they are raised on wire and they’re stacked up on cages to the ceiling and they’re outdoors,” she explained. “A kennel is totally different than a puppy mill. Mine is a kennel.”
Bob Smith, who said he worked for Komorny since April, said Komorny had employees who regularly cleaned the dogs’ areas. He said Animal Control officers, however, came out Wednesday morning prior to the normal day’s cleaning and as a result saw feces and urine that is normal with any animal.
Animal Control officials sought assistance from the U.S. Humane Society in rescuing the animals after increased concern about the welfare of the dogs came to light through multiple reports and visiting the property.
The animals were safely transported to a temporary shelter, where they will be thoroughly examined by teams of veterinarians and receive any necessary immediate medical treatment, officials said.
“It is heartbreaking to see these animals living in these conditions,” said Jill Fritz, Michigan senior state director for the Humane Society. “If we had strong state laws regulating these large-scale dog-breeding operations, we could put a stop to this unimaginable suffering.”
There are no specific laws in Michigan to protect dogs in large-scale commercial breeding operations. However, Senate Bill 560, which would enact registration, licensing and standards for these facilities, is pending in the Legislature.
Komorny, who said Animal Control also took her two longtime pets, said she has had animals for more than 50 years and has “never had a problem” until the recent issues with Livingston and Ingham counties.
“I love animals. I’m devoted to animals,” she said. “This is not a description or definition of who I am or how I care for my animals. I’m worried for my animals. ...
“We had a lot of puppies, and a lot of them are sold. We really need to get them to their owners,” Komorny added. “They are already sold. ... We had someone drive in from Canada to get their puppy.”
(Livingston Daily - May 16, 2014)
I cannot tell you how shocked and sad I am to read this. I bought a puppy from Elaine nearly 5 years ago. A Whoodle. I did a lot of checking to make sure she wasn't operating a mill. I paid about $1500 for my dog. Elaine asked me a lot of questions about the way that I lived and seemed dedicated to her dogs. She seemed active with the dog associations and wanted to have the Whoodle be recognized as an official breed that she wanted to be called a Village Terrier. My dog is absolutely gorgeous. So far very healthy. My vet and other vets who have seen her have always commented on how beautifully bred she is. She has a lovely temperament. I couldn't be happier and I've been so sure that I'd found a wonderful breeder. I wonder if something didn't happen to her. She's rather elderly at this point. I remember during the time I purchased my dog, she said she took some time off because someone in her life had passed away and she was very upset. I don't want to believe this about her but I see the pictures. I'm heartbroken to hear this.
ReplyDeleteI bought a puppy from Elaine, too. He was 16 weeks old when we got him; he's now almost 5. From the start, he would duck when we reached down to pat him, as though he had been struck (and he hasn't - at least not by us). He has that behavior to this day. He used his crate as a bathroom multiple times a day for weeks, indicating to us that he didn't have much opportunity to go anywhere else. He is afraid of everything - noise (at any level), fast movements, even just people walking past him. He is a sweet, loving boy, and we love him a ton! But he clearly has fear and anxiety problems that I attribute at least in part to poor care from his time at Raisin Tree.
ReplyDeleteWe bought a puppy from Raisin Tree in 2012 and the experience was awesome. More importantly the dog has been unbelievable. We were hoping to find Elaine and pursue another puppy.
ReplyDelete