Animal control seizes pigs and more from family who fled area

MICHIGAN -- Animal control officials on Friday seized pigs, a horse and a cat from the home of a local family that had fled the area and was recently found by police in Florida.

Cheboygan County Humane Society Executive Director Mary Talaske said authorities took 27 pigs, a draft horse and a cat from the home of Richard and Shavon Fero. The animals had been left alone with no food or care since the couple fled the area with their five children last weekend.

“They will be facing animal abandonment charges,” Taslaske said. “Even if they had made arrangements to have somebody else care for them, there was absolutely no food there for them.”

The Feros left the area after Shavon Fero contacted police on Oct. 11 and reported that her children, ages 1 year-to-12, were being physically and verbally abused by her husband. After an intial investigation, police found there may have been evidence of abuse and arranged to provide Shavon and the children with access to a safe house. However, Shavon's family contacted police on Oct. 12 and reported that Shavon, who was supposed to be driving herself and her children to the safe house, had never arrived.

Upon further investigation, police believed Shavon voluntarily met up with her husband and along with the children, they had left the state to avoid court action regarding their kids.

After issuing a warrant for Richard Fero for felonious assault and child abuse and conducting a national search for the family, they were located early Thursday in Fort Meyers, Fla. at a relative's home. Richard was taken into custody without incident. The children were taken into protective custody and arrangements were being made to transport the children back to Cheboygan. Police said the involvement of Shavon is still under investigation.

Talaske said a relative was going to stay at the Fero residence on a temporary basis, but he ended up leaving. She said that despite the obvious lack of care, the animals seem to be in decent condition.

“We just want people to know that the animals are safe and are being cared for,” Talaske said. All of the animals have been placed in rescues. Richard Fero will be arraigned in Florida and may waive or fight extradition. He is expected to be extradited back to Michigan on charges issued by Cheboygan County’s prosecutor.

(Cheboygan Daily Tribune - Oct 23, 2014)