Woman charged after law enforcement finds 20 dogs, 4 turtles living in "deplorable conditions" in Warren
A 57-year-old woman is facing two charges after law enforcement found 20 dogs and four turtles living in "deplorable conditions" while executing a search warrant at a Warren, Michigan, home last month, the Macomb County Sheriff's Office said.
Michelle Reyntiens of Warren is charged with one count each of animal cruelty and possession of a controlled substance less than 25 grams, according to online court records. A judge set her bond at $30,000 cash or surety.
Members of the sheriff's office and the Warren Police Department executed the search warrant on Feb. 12 at a residence on the 14000 block of Hobart Avenue near the intersection of East 9 Mile and Schoenherr roads. They found the home to be unsanitary, according to the sheriff's office.
Officials said law enforcement at the scene seized nine adult dogs and 11 puppies, each a Pomeranian-Shih Tzu mix, the turtles and crack cocaine.
"Several of the animals appeared to require immediate medical attention," the sheriff's office said. "Macomb County Animal Control responded to the scene and assisted with the safe removal of the animals."
The Macomb County Prosecutor's Office said the animals are now the property of Macomb County Animal Control after court officials on Wednesday ordered Reyntiens to forefeit ownership.
Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel said in a social media video on Friday that the shelter is working to put the dogs up for adoption.
According to the sheriff's office, law enforcement learned at some point during their investigation that Reyntiens was selling narcotics in the Warren area.
Court records show Reyntiens is set to appear at a probable cause conference on April 16. If convicted, she faces up to eight years in jail, the sheriff's office said.