Mackinaw County Hoarding Case

I received your newsletter update and wondered if you were aware of our Rexton farm hoarding case.

Our ACO Wendy Frosland after 18 months of dealing with a 70 some year old male who had 60 plus animals on a 2 acre farm living in horrible conditions: manure 8 feet high, horses in dog kennels, dogs in the house never allowed outside, and so on. Someone called Wendy because a horse was down from starvation and left to die.

A judge gave her the court order to remove 56 of the animals including horses, goats, llamas, donkeys, pigs, and dogs. DNR was to remove the bobcats and porcupines.

Lots of media coverage swamped us with offers for fostering, adopting, and donations. One dog and one horse was immediately put down with the authority of a vet’s recommendation to stop the immediate suffering. Our County Prosecutor Fred Felappa in a settlement with the man and his lawyer agreed to return almost half of the animals, auction the rest and he keeps 60% and the County gets 40% all under a charge of one count misdemeanor animal  cruelty!

We are outraged and needing to get this information out to the public. We are calling all the people (50-60) who called us and will return their uncashed checks. Any help or advise will be greatly appreciated. This County is finally going to appreciate the rights of animals.  FYI- We learned yesterday the bobcats and porcupines were never removed. Thanks, Jo