VAN BUREN COUNTY (WKZO-AM) — Felony animal cruelty charges have been leveled against a Lawrence Township couple for keeping 108 dogs, 8 cats and a horse at their home in the 56000 block of 52nd Avenue.
Police say they could smell the place from some distance away. The conditions inside were described as “horrendous,” with animal feces everywhere.
It may be a classic case of “animal hoarding,” authorities said. They began with the best intentions but it apparently got out of hand.
Each dog was removed individually and its condition was recorded for use as evidence. Most were underfed, had fleas and mange and many had deformities or were injured.
Melissa Kay Copen, 45, and Donald Smith, 40, were both charged with four-year felonies and have since been freed on bond. Right now, they have been charged with one count each, but more charges may be leveled after the prosecutor’s office gets the police report.
It took ten officers eight hours to remove all the animals.
The animals are being cleaned up and evaluated by volunteers and veterinarians who have come forward or been recruited by Van Buren County Animal Control.
