BY ERIC D. LAWRENCE • FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER
The well-manicured lawn and shrubs outside belied the filth and stench inside the two-story Dearborn home, where more than 100 Chihuahuas were removed as of Thursday afternoon by rescuers wearing oxygen tanks, respirators and white protective suits.
The 56-year-old man who lived in the house was identified as Kenneth Lang Jr. by neighbors, who said he voluntarily cut the grass for some. He was taken to Oakwood Hospital for evaluation Wednesday after an odor complaint prompted authorities to start a search.
A few of the dogs were found dead. The rest, many of them shaking, were turned over to the Dearborn Animal Shelter, which is now responsible for evaluating them, providing medical care and finding new homes.
“This sudden influx of dogs is absolutely stressing the staff and the shelter,” said Sandra Boulton, a spokeswoman for the shelter on Greenfield Road.
The shelter is accepting adoption applications for the dogs — when they are deemed fit to leave the shelter — and is asking for donations of money and food, Boulton said. A line of people interested in adopting the dogs for $200 each waited at the shelter Thursday while other people began dropping off food.
Throughout the day, rescuers carried Chihuahuas out of the house.
Other workers used shovels to remove feces and trash that could be seen just inside the front door piled floor to ceiling. Large garbage bags full of waste were carried to waiting trucks, along with more than two dozen large televisions.
As the wind shifted, the odor pouring from several open doors prompted the assembled neighbors to pull their shirts up over their noses and cringe. Workers said the floors were covered in feces and soaked with urine.
“We never thought he was like this,” said neighbor Chadia Saad, 38. “We’re all shocked.”
Nick Siroskey, director of residential services for the city, said the situation appeared to be a case of animal hoarding.
City officials said the house, which has been deemed unfit for habitation, will likely have to be demolished.
All Photos by (RASHAUN RUCKER/DFP)
Today (friday 7-24-09) is day 3 of cleanup.
Dearborn spokesman Randy Coble says officials think they may find more dogs in the home on Friday.
Hopefully they are in good enough health and will all be adopted out.
Update:
More bad news from this story:
AP
Police say about 150 dead dogs were found packed in freezers in the basement of a Michigan home where more than 110 live dogs, mostly Chihuahuas, were rescued this week.
Investigators in the Detroit suburb of Dearborn say the two-story house is littered with feces and trash. The 54-year-old man who lives there has been taken to a hospital for observation. Police say the man appeared confused and disoriented.
Dearborn Police Chief Ronald Haddad said Friday that 112 live dogs have been removed from the home, and police believe about five more may be hiding inside. He says a criminal investigation is under way.
The rescued dogs were taken to a shelter, where many residents have donated food and filled out pet adoption applications.
This story is so sad. Someone must have known that Mr. Lang had so many dogs. I hope he is treated for his mental illness and never allowed to own an animal again. Hopefully, many of the survivors of this terrible abuse can be adopted to families and spend the rest of their days in aloving and humane environment.
I live in California. So moved by this story, I am unemployed but donated $5.00. I put a link on my Facebook page for my friends and family to know where to donate as well. I agree with the comments about mental illness, yes, absolutely no one with a sane mind would treat animals this way. I have no been able to get their faces out of my mind. A sincere thank you to the residents who live near this shelter who can adopt these animals and give them safety, love and care.
Although this is a horrific case of animal hoarding you have to feel for the man. Obviously he is not in a right frame of mind. Hopefully he will get the help he needs and hopefully he will not be allowed to have animals in the future. As for the dogs may they all find caring and loving homes, they certainly deserve it.
this story is not unusual – hoarders often keep their “collection” even after they pass. they are addicts and need mental help, unfortunately the justice system doesn't know how to deal with them, nor are there enough laws in place
if you are interested in learning more:
http://www.animalhoarding.org
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Betty
http://smallpet.info
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Betty
http://adoptpet.info
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Betty
http://adoptpet.info
It saddens me that these people/situations aren’t caught in the early stages – the warning signs must be there – when there are only 20 dogs to save and re-home rather than 100.
As for the people that do it, I guess they start out caring for the animals but then it goes wrong.