The owner of the property claims the 56-year-old woman (identified as Nina Sparks) who owns the Chihuahua mixes moved out in December, leaving her sons in the apartment. Her sons moved out last week.
“That’s like leaving your children at home with no supervision,” said Robert Michael Allen, who lives downstairs from where the dogs were abandoned.
While Van Buren County Animal Control investigates the case, those animals are being cared for at the county shelter.
Robert Michael Allen took one of the smallest dogs of the bunch, named Tim. He said the dog was suffering from severe malnutrition. Most of the abandoned dogs were bigger, making it hard for Tim to get any food if there was any in the home, Allen said. Allen was also the person who called animal control and made the complaint.
“It was Friday night and we knew for a fact they were alone, because the boys moved out, and the mother’s been gone since December.”
Authorities arrived to the apartment on Main Street Monday to find the dogs and one puppy in the worst of conditions.
“Upon executing the search warrant, we found 11 dogs inside a one-bedroom apartment,” said Sgt. Ron Douglas. “They did not have any food or water, and there was feces and urine about the apartment.”
Authorities are still searching for the owner of the dogs, a 56-year-old woman. They are withholding her name for now (see updated info below).
Allen describes her as irresponsible, and the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department says the woman’s fate in the hands of the prosecutor’s office when it comes to possible charges.
“We take these cases very seriously in Van Buren County,” said Douglas.
If you have any information about this case or any animal cruelty concerns in Van Buren County, call Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office at 269-657-3101, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-342-7867, or Silent Observer at 269-343-2100.
UPDATE:
Nina Sparks has been identified as the owner.
(FOX17 - Jan 26, 2015)
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