BATTLE CREEK, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Police are looking for the owner of a great dane who was found locked in a storage unit in Battle Creek.
Officers say the dog was discovered on Tuesday, February 4th after employees called the local animal control department when they heard continued barking coming from a locked Uhaul moving and storage unit on 5740 Beckley Road.
An animal control officer responded to scene and decided to wait one more day before opening the crate because the animals barking did not indicate it was in serious distress. The control office posted a 24-hour notice that the owner was in violation of the city’s animal ordinance.
After finding the animal still inside the storage unit the next day, animal control officers obtained a search warrant and were able to remove the lock, freeing the canine.
Inside they found a harlequin Great Dane without food or water but surrounded by some furniture within the unit.
The dog, which was 20-pounds underweight, was taken afterward to the Calhoun County Animal Shelter on Union Street.
Battle Creek Police are investigating the incident, and say that they believe the owner may have possibly been evicted from their home recently.
The suspected owner could be charged for misdemeanor abandonment, which carries a maximum jail sentence of 93 days.
