353 small dogs confiscated from breeder

ALLEGAN, Mich. (WOOD) - The Allegan County Animal Shelter treated 353 Shih Tzu and Pomeranian dogs that were seized Monday from an Allegan County breeder.

The dog count does not include puppies younger than four weeks. Twelve cats and two birds were also confiscated.

The shelter's normal capacity is 36. Monday, it operated near 10 times its normal capacity.

"We're completely overwhelmed right now," said Jeff Stiegman, program director for the animal shelter. "We need help."

Most of the dogs were covered in feces and filth. 

Many were sick and more than a dozen were pregnant. Those dogs that were sick were kept in smaller cages, away from the majority of the animals.

-- See photos of the dogs and the volunteers at work --

The dogs were checked into the shelter and medicated as fast as possible.

So many volunteers and veterinarians from across the county and West Michigan showed up at the shelter that the initial check-in process, which was expected to take well into Monday night and even Tuesday morning,  finished just before 10 p.m.

Because of the nature of the Shih Tzu hair, qualified groomers had to work on the animals, Stiegman said.

The Allegan County Sheriff's Office said that the dogs came from a Cheshire Township breeder that had allowed the number of dogs grow so significantly that they were not being properly cared for.

The sheriff's office said those breeders are cooperating in relinquishing the dogs to the county so that they can be adopted.

One of those breeders told 24 Hour News 8, "My dogs were not sick."

Animal Control is still investigating. It is unclear if anyone will face charges.

"There were many different breeds on the property. She [the breeder] didn't know what was or wasn't pregnant," Julie K owal, an animal shelter official, said. "She picked them up and said the same name three or four times."

Monetary assistance and donations of bleach, soft canned dog food, blankets and other items are also needed, Kowal said.

Anyone wishing to adopt or foster a dog can go to the Allegan County Animal Shelter's Facebook page or its site at Petfinder.

Anyone who can help is urged to call the shelter at 269.686.5112. This is a voicemail number, but is being checked regularly.

The address of the shelter is also below for those who wish to drop off donations or send checks.

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Allegan County Animal Shelter (Google map)

2293 33rd Street

Allegan, MI 49010

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24 Hour News 8's Ryan Takeo contributed to this report.