14 Cottrellville dogs euthanized
Fourteen dogs seized from a Cottrellville Township couple have been euthanized.
The dogs were all showing symptoms of parvovirus, an often fatal and highly contagious disease, according to a statement from the St. Clair County Sheriff Department.
The euthanized dogs were among the dozens being held at the St. Clair County Sheriff Animal Control following the discovery of the animal hoarding earlier this month. Deputy Steve Campau said rescues throughout the state have taken 24 dogs that had been at the shelter, while five Norwegian spitz mixes remain in the shelter's adoption center. Two of the dogs taken by the rescues were symptomatic of parvo, eight were non-symptomatic but tested positive.
The 14 dogs showing "severe effects from parvovirus" were euthanized Friday under the direction of Dr. Cassandra Liecht, the veterinarian working for animal control.
“We are very pleased that the rescues stepped up and took some of these dogs,” Animal Control Office Manager Stephanie Ignash said in a statement. “It is sad that the owners of the dogs did not have them vaccinated, leading to the outbreak and euthanization of the 14. Fortunately, none of the other dogs in our care have tested positive for parvo.”
More than 100 animals were removed or given up by Lynn and Michael Higgins June 14 and 15. The couple are both facing animal cruelty charges and are scheduled to return to court July 6.
They were arraigned Friday, and are out on $5,000 cash/surety bonds, with the condition they are not to have or care for any animals.
Animal Control's dog adoption area has been decontaminated. It will reopen Thursday.
They have been given a clean bill of health by Dr. Liecht. The adoption center it is located at 3378 Griswold Road in Port Huron Township. Adoption hours are 10:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and from 1 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Adoption fees are $120 for dogs and $75 for cats. The fee includes shots and spaying/neutering.
Authorities responded to the Higgins home in the 7500 block of South River Road in Cottrellville Township earlier this month after a neighbor reported foul odors and constant barking. Officials said the Higginses cooperated on the first day, allowing deputies and animal control officials to remove more than 50 dogs, as well as turning dogs over to area rescues.
When they returned the second day, the Higginses did not allow them into the home and a search warrant had to be executed to remove the remaining animals.
An emergency motion was filed asking the animals be forfeited to animal control prior to the couple's arraignment after a handful of the dogs started showing signs of parvovirus.
The Higgins agreed to turn over all animals except one gray cat at the time of their arraignment.
According to the motion, no one answered when deputies first attempted to make contact at the home June 13.
"Multiple dogs were observed in the residence but it was difficult for the deputy to get an accurate count due to many of the windows being covered with feces smeared by the dogs inside the residence. Contact was attempted with the residents but there was no answer," the motion states.
Contact Liz Shepard at (810) 989-6273 or lshepard@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @lvshepard.