LOCAL

Ingham County Animal Control suspends intakes after seizing 30 dogs from Haslett homes

Ken Palmer
Lansing State Journal

HASLETT – Ingham County Animal Control has temporarily stopped taking in cats and dogs after the agency on Friday seized more than 30 adult dogs and puppies from two homes in Meridian Township.

The dogs were taken to the county shelter for evaluation and medical care, officials said in a news release.

The new Ingham County Animal Control & Shelter is located at 600 Buhl not far from the old shelter. Sunday, June 2, 2019.

"Due to the large number of dogs received in this investigation, and the existing number of animals already at the shelter at the time, animal intakes at the shelter are suspended," the release said.

That means no dogs or cats will be accepted through the lobby at the Mason shelter until the numbers are reduced, officials said.

Animal Control officers went to a property in the 5600 block of Marsh Road after receiving an anonymous complaint about the welfare of animals there, then drew search warrants to remove dogs from two homes, they said.

Animal Control Director Heidi Williams said the dogs were generally not in bad condition, although their living conditions were "pretty deplorable."

The dogs were seized from two properties that officials believe were controlled by the same people, Williams said. Investigators believe the owners were "breeding the dogs to sell," and her agency plans to seek criminal charges, she said.

The shelter is discounting dog adoption rates by 50% and will offer reduced-price cat adoptions on Saturday. Senior cat adoptions will be free, officials said.

Contact Ken Palmer at (517) 377-1032 or kpalmer@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @KBPalm_lsj.