Kennel’s animals treated for physical and emotional ailments

[Swiftwind]

Kennel’s animals treated for physical and emotional ailments

Author: Christina Stolarz
Publisher: The Detroit News
Date: 25 April 2008
Original Article: Rescued dogs, cats get TLC: Kennel’s animals treated for physical, emotional ailments

STERLING HEIGHTS -- Two Shih Tzus, recently named Rita and Lucy, shake and cower when people walk by their separate cages.

A yellow Rottweiller mix, called Tank, suffers from eye, ear and skin infections and may require surgery for a sore on his foot likely caused from lying on cement.

The eye infection that Nina, a Lhasa apso, contracted has caused blindness in her right eye.

And Darla, a pregnant Doberman pinscher with mange, is slowly warming up to people after crawling out of her dog run Wednesday because she was so afraid.

These are some of the conditions that afflict 68 animals -- 60 dogs, seven cats and one horse -- that Sterling Heights police removed Wednesday from a kennel on Mound near 15 Mile amid what were termed deplorable living conditions. All the animals removed have been placed with local animal groups, hospitals and shelters.

"It's sad to see this," said Dr. Karen Michalski, veterinarian and owner of Serenity Animal Hospital and Pet Resort on 15 Mile; the facility took in 18 dogs from the kennel.

"I've seen bad conditions. But when it's in your backyard, it kind of hurts more."

Police are investigating who is responsible for Lornich Kennels because three caretakers were present during the raid, Lt. Robert Henigan said. The kennel Web site lists Lorri Nichiow as the owner.

Nichiow, 48, could face felony animal cruelty charges, which carry two-year or four-year prison terms, because she was convicted in 2005 on two counts of animal cruelty in 41-A District Court, Henigan said. Nichiow could also be charged with operating a kennel without a license because it "appears to have lapsed in 2003," he said.

No one has been arrested; charges may be filed by next week at the earliest, Henigan said. "We're taking our time with it to do everything right," he said.

Police came to the area Sunday in response to a report of two horses roaming free near the busy 15 Mile and Mound Road intersection.

Upon returning the horses to the nearby kennel, officers discovered a gate left open in the pen. They found an assortment of animals in need of care because they were covered in feces, their food was covered in feces or they didn't have access to drinking water, Henigan said.

Officers returned to the kennel with a search warrant at 10:15 a.m. Wednesday to remove animals in need of care, he said. At least two dogs, determined to be family pets and in good health, were left at the property.

It's unknown what happened to the two horses returned to the kennel grounds, he said.

Police are investigating whether the kennel owned the animals as part of a puppy mill, or if they were being boarded. Henigan said he's received one phone call from a possible pet owner. If the kennel owns the animals, Henigan said the city and prosecutors may petition the court for ownership so the animals could be adopted.

Lornich Kennels is registered as a business with the city, and according to its Web site, it's been in operation since 1974. Henigan said police have received complaints about the property, but he declined to elaborate.

Lornich Kennels sits in back of a tan home with green shutters along Mound, a major thoroughfare. Signs that say "Beware of Dog," "No Trespassing," and "Private Drive" are posted on the property. One dog was visible in the fenced-in backyard Thursday afternoon.

"It's sad," Henigan said. "Fortunately, we have the cooperation of many great animal rescue groups, organizations that step up at a time like this and help."

Michalski said she received the call to come and assess the animals early Wednesday afternoon. When she got to the kennel grounds, she immediately thought it looked like a puppy mill because most of the outdoor dog runs housed one male and at least one female dog.

Her animal hospital rescued 18 dogs in the worst condition, including mange, infections and a ruptured anal gland.

Most of the dogs had to be shaved because their fur was matted with feces; all were bathed because it appeared they had never received a bath, she said.

Michalski said most of the animals are improving, and none had aggressive behavior. She's concerned about the possibility of heartworm.

If the dogs do have heartworm, she said she's unsure who will decide whether to treat them or euthanize them.

Michalski said she will house the animals until their medical conditions are under control; then they will look for foster homes until the authorities determine their placement.

"This could have been treated," Michalski said of the various ailments. "It's a shame."