Source: Freep.com, July 24, 2009
As many as 150 dead animals have been found in a house in Dearborn where authorities had previously found more than 100 live Chihuahuas and Chihuahua mixes over the past two days, according to Dearborn Police Chief Ronald Haddad.
Authorities discovered the dead animals today when they searched the basement of the home in the 7800 block of Orchard and found several freezers. Criminal charges are being explored, police said. One charge that could result is aggravated animal cruelty, a felony which carries a four-year penalty.
Haddad didn’t rule out the possibility that others might be involved.
Meanwhile, the search for live dogs is continuing. The chief said several are believed to be hiding among the mounds of debris still present in the house.
Numerous large trash containers have been move onto the property to deal with the debris.
Haddad said he could not explain why the man, identified earlier as Kenneth Lang Jr., 56, kept so many live and dead dogs on his property.
“I can’t answer why anyone would do anything that went on in that house,” Haddad said.
He estimated that the collection of animals could have been going on for as many as four years. The discovery was prompted by an earlier complaint from a neighbor about a foul smell coming from Lang’s home.
Neighbors have expressed surprise about the discovery, noting that Lang was known for being meticulous about his yard. He also cared for the yards of several of his neighbors.
Lang was taken to Oakwood Hospital in Dearborn on Wednesday, but the chief said he did not know Lang’s current whereabouts. A hospital receptionist said earlier today that Lang had been discharged. A city official had said he believed that Lang had been transferred to another facility for psychiatric evaluation.
Haddad said Lang seemed confused, disoriented and unable to care for himself when police initially came to his house on Wednesday.
The live Chihuahuas all have been taken to the Dearborn Animal Shelter on Greenfield Road.
100 people file to adopt a Chihuahua
About 100 people have filled out adoption applications at the Dearborn Animal Shelter because of the influx of Chihuahuas found inside a Dearborn home this week.
Sandra Boulton, a spokeswoman for the shelter, said the interest in the dogs — all Chihuahuas or Chihuahua mixes — has been tremendous and has prompted the shelter on Greenfield Road to set up a tent outside to properly direct visitors as they arrive.
As of noon, the shelter had received 102 dogs from the house and more are expected.
Boulton said the shelter was already at capacity with about 388 animals before the influx of Chihuahuas began arriving. The dogs are being evaluated and must go through a process, including being vaccinated, sterilized and microchipped, before they can be released for adoption, possibly as early as next week.
While most of the current interest has been in adopting the Chihuahuas, Boulton said people can still help the dogs by adopting other animals at the shelter, including cats.
“It opens up more room for us to care for these little guys,” she said. “Any animal adopted out helps us.”
She also cautioned that the large volume of adoption applications does not represent completed adoptions, meaning that people should not hesitate to fill out an application if they want one of the dogs.
The center is continuing to request donations of money and small kibble dog food.
To donate, or for animal adoption information, go to www.dearbornanimals.org. Checks can be sent to the shelter at 2661 Greenfield Road, Dearborn, 48120.
*UPDATE* The Dearborn Animal Shelter has stopped accepting pet adoption applications for the day.
The announcement comes in the wake of high interest caused by the large number of requests to help after the discovery of 112 live Chihuahuas in a house in the 7800 block of Orchard this week. Earlier today, Dearborn Police announced they had discovered more than 150 dead animals in freezers in the house.
The shelter, at 2661 Greenfield Road in Dearborn, is open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. For information, go to www.dearbornanimals.org.
Shelter officials continue to request donations of small kibble dog food, money and office supplies.
There’s no option of homing them separately. They’ve got to go as a pair 
Laika, our much loved Husky, was taken from outside The Greene Grape Provisions on Friday 24th July at 8.50pm. Photos attached of Laika and the security camera footage. (Note: Security camera photos have not been posted here because of size and quality issues.)
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