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Officers Uncover Animal Cruelty in Suburban Home

On Wednesday, 36 dogs, at least 10 cats, and six rabbits were rescued from this home on the 12800 block of Sioux in Redford Township, which has been deemed unlivable by the township's director of public services.

DETROIT – From the outside, the brick house in the 12800 block of Sioux in Redford Township looked a lot like the other homes on the tree-lined street.

The grass is cut and flowers planted, but police said the home’s interior was filthy and overrun with animals.

More than 50 animals were rescued from the home Wednesday, said Lt. Eric Gillman of the Redford Township Police Department. Among them: 36 dogs — including some newborns — at least 10 cats and six rabbits.

The animals captured Wednesday were taken to the Taylor Animal Shelter, officials said.

Animal control officers returned Thursday to set up traps to catch more animals.

Police went to the house after getting calls from neighbors who complained of an odor, Gillman said. When they arrived, dogs were barking and a horrid smell was coming from the door, he said. Flies had gathered near the doors and windows.

The basement floor was so caked with feces, the floor appeared to be made of mud, he said.

A woman in her 60s and her daughter, who is in her 40s, lived there, Gillman said. He didn’t know their conditions.

Neighbor Cristina Markellos said she often heard dogs barking, but didn’t see many and wondered how many were inside the house.

When Markellos walked by the house, she smelled a stench.

“It smelled like she had a lot of animals,” she said.

Another neighbor, Shie Hern Booker, said she would say hi and bye to one of the women who lived in the house when they crossed paths.

“It’s very sad,” she said about the situation at the house.

Twelve of the dogs went to Mutts & Mutts Rescue League in Redford Township for care, said the organization’s president, Donna Law. The dogs are in pretty good shape, she said, and are getting shots and being cleaned.

The majority of them don’t know how to walk on a leash, she said. The soonest they will be ready for adoption is in about three weeks. People interested in adoption can call Law at 313-778-2262.

The house is unlivable, said John Selmi, director of public services for Redford Township.