Dead dogs found in foreclosed house

MIDDLEVILLE, Mich. (WOOD) - The new owner of a foreclosed house near Middleville found the residence covered in dog feces -- and he found several dead dogs on the premises.

The past owner Marcie Tepper has a warrant out for her arrest for animal neglect and holds a seat on the county's animal advisory board.

Tepper spoke to 24 Hour News 8 Friday off-camera. She said has worked with the Barry County Animal shelter 17 years. During the last two, she said, she struggled with losing her home, felt pressured to take in animals, and was unable to pay rent because she spent so much on the animals.

Tepper said she's working on getting treatment and plans to turn herself in Saturday on that neglect charge.

She said the difficulties she has been having are why her old house ended up filthy, filled with garbage and dirty cages, and covered in feces.

"These dogs have torn this place up. This is how it was left," new homeowner Kurt Wierenga said as he showed 24 Hour News 8 through the home. "And the smell is so overwhelming in here."

He bought the foreclosed property near Middleville in April. When he was able to get into the property last month, he found more than he expected.

"Some areas you can see the floor. Other areas you can't because they are stacked up in dog feces," he said.

Friday, he found bags full of dead dogs.

"Laying right by the steps there was that dead dog that I found and saw," he said.

The previous homeowner Tepper sits on Barry County's animal shelter advisory board. Off camera, she said she euthanized dogs at her house because she was embarrassed she could not find homes for the dogs.

Tepper said she spent most of her money caring for the dogs and could not afford to keep the house.

"I got so angry when I lost my home," she said.

Wierenga is upset at the home's condition and plans to demolish the house, instead of fixing what's left.

"A house that's only 10 years old, and I can't even rehab it," he said.

Barry County Sheriff Dar Leaf declined to discuss Tepper's case, citing an open investigation.