NORTON SHORES, Mich. — Nearly 80 dogs found in poor living conditions at a Norton Shores rescue have been seized by authorities and relocated to shelters in West Michigan.
The Norton Shores Police Department says they seized 78 dogs from Cober’s Canine Rescue in Norton Shores on Monday.
The investigation started after the director of Pound Buddies reported that the owner of Cober’s Canine Rescue had an excessive number of dogs in poor health and ‘dreadful’ living conditions.
An anonymous person obtained photos of the living conditions the dogs were subjected to.
According to police, the dogs were brought to Pound Buddies for evaluation.
Police posted on its YouTube page a video of the dogs— and the home where they were kept.
Harbor Humane ended up sheltering 20 of the dogs. Executive director Jen Self-Aulgur says she feels good knowing the dogs are safe now.
She calls the 600-square foot house in Norton Shores 'hell on earth.'
"Some of the animals were in crates so small, they could barely turn around.' She says they were 'just sitting in their own feces and urine.'
Self-Aulgur described the dogs as showing behaviors indicating they had little to no human interaction.
The dogs are suffering from scarring, bite wounds, skin conditions, kennel cough, and urine scalding on their paws.
While Self-Aulgur has seen her fair share of 'deplorable' conditions, she says this one is 'pretty bad.'
The Norton Shores Police Department says the city’s building division later inspected the home and deemed it unfit for occupancy.
Meanwhile, a suspect was arrested and charged with animal neglect. Lisa Marie Cober was arraigned on Tuesday in Muskegon County District Court.
Court records show she is being charged with animal cruelty to 25 or more animals. The felony charge comes with a maximum of seven years in prison. Her bond was set at $1,000.
Cober is scheduled to appear back in Muskegon County Court for a probable cause conference on February 14 at 1:30 p.m.
