GRAND LEDGE — Police and animal welfare officials said they are trying to help a man who was transporting dozens of dogs in a minivan, including a female that gave birth to six puppies within an hour of arriving at an animal shelter.
When personnel made contact with the man, they found about 36 dogs, most of them small- to medium-sized animals, the Eaton County Sheriff’s Office said. All of the dogs were in generally good health, and deputies confirmed they had access to food and water.
“The Eaton County Prosecutor’s Office was consulted and agreed that, based on deputies’ and Animal Control’s observations and assessment, there was not evidence to support criminal animal cruelty or neglect charges at this time,” sheriff’s officials said in news release.
The Capital Area Humane Society took in 10 puppies and two pregnant females, and one of the females delivered puppies within an hour after arriving at the shelter in Clinton County, said Julia Willson, president and CEO of CAHS.
“She was in labor when she got here,” Willson said. “We now have 16 puppies.”
Willson said her shelter will provide basic care, including spay and neuter services, to all of the dogs at no cost to their owner.
“He’s clearly doing the best he can,” she said. “(The dogs) all appear to be cared for and in generally good condition.”
CAHS was told about the situation early on Thursday, May 21, and went to make contact with the man in the Grand Ledge area after contacting Eaton County Animal Control, Willson said. Reports about the situation had been circulating on social media for a couple of days, she said.
The man indicated he had driven from Florida with the dogs because he had a family connection here, Willson said. She noted that the county has no authority to seize the animals, and CAHS is doing its best to help the man.
“We’re tying to solve this problem, but it’s going to take awhile,” she said.
Contact Ken Palmer at kpalmer@lsj.com. Follow him on X @KBPalm_lsj
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Officials trying to help after 36 dogs found in minivan
Reporting by Ken Palmer, Lansing State Journal / Lansing State Journal
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