The St. Clair County Sheriff Animal Control Division received complaints in the 7500 block of South River Road about foul odor and loud barking coming from a residence.
The dogs removed from the house include Norwegian Buhunds and Norrbottenspets (Nordic Spitz), and Norwegian spets mixes.
Twenty-two of the dogs were taken to the county animal shelter Tuesday. A Colorado based Norwegian buhund rescue arranged temporary housing throughout Michigan for the remaining 23 dogs.
Wednesday afternoon, an animal control officer returned to the home to remove the remaining dogs, but was initially refused entry. Animal control officers and sheriff deputies returned with a search warrant to seize the remaining dogs at around 4 p.m.
While removing the remaining dogs, one got loose and had to be caught before it ran into the road.
Neighbor Greg Bosel reported the house to authorities, he said, because of the constant barking and the stench. He said he was also concerned about the dogs' welfare.
The dogs living inside the house all appeared to be in good overall physical condition; however they were covered in feces and urine from the poor living conditions. The dogs had free run of the house and were not caged, according to a statement from the St. Clair County Sheriff Department.
At the scene, St. Clair County Sheriff Tim Donnellon said investigators were still trying to determine the exact number of dogs taken from the house, but it was at least 70. He said the house was very unsanitary, with dog feces everywhere.
The case remains under investigation. Donnellon said criminal charges would be up to the St. Clair County Prosecutor. He said animal cruelty charges were a possibility.
A resident of the home, upset that a Detroit TV station was outside his home, refused to comment.
According to Animal Control, the people living in the house had moved here from Colorado in hopes of breeding and selling the dogs.
Donnellon, however, later said the people were breeding, showing and rescuing the dogs, but were not selling them.
(Freep - June 16, 2016)
