ASCHAE’s DogBlog

Source: DetroitNews.com, June 3, 2009

Police say a Birmingham woman accused of illegally housing “designer” dogs in a former auto repair shop wasn’t rescuing them — she was selling them on the Internet for a large profit.

But the woman’s attorney, Eric Buikema, said Tuesday his client’s only motivation was the safety of endangered animals. Buikema said accusations against the 38-year-old woman and her Itsy Bitsy Mini Dog Rescue operation are ridiculous, and until he determines the intentions of investigators, he’s not going to permit her to be interviewed by police.

“She has not been arrested, not charged with any crimes at all,” said Buikema. “They removed 30 dogs from a building where she was providing them with shelter, food and water.”

The building is a former auto repair shop in the 4500 block of Delemere, an industrial area in northern Royal Oak where police were tipped off about animals being warehoused illegally and possibly neglectfully, Royal Oak Police Sgt. Robert Riley said. The city’s animal control officer, police and members of the county Animal Control office visited the address Monday morning and removed 26 puppies and six dogs from a fenced-in area on concrete floor.

The animals were taken to a county facility where they are being kept “under lockdown,” seen only when they are fed and watered, Riley said.

“The animals were examined by a veterinarian and seem to be in good shape,” Riley said. “But because of the circumstances there is concern about animal cruelty and this all remains under investigation and it could result in criminal charges.”

Riley said volunteers at the Delemere address had no paperwork for any of the animals and no state license for operating a kennel, a violation of city ordinance.

“We are still looking into this but it appears to be a puppy farm,” Riley said. “We suspect it could be set up for the breeding of specific animals — designer dogs — like Pomeranians, beagles, Chihuahuas and Boston terriers and then sold off at a large profit for $300 or $400 each.”

Riley said while investigators have no record of sales of animals, they have found Itsy Bitsy identified on craigslist as a shelter/rescue group where people can go to adopt pets for a fee.

“So what? What’s wrong with that?” said Buikema.

“Would you rather some dog be endangered and left in an unsafe environment? She has been rescuing and keeping animals for several years and was recently ticketed by the city of Birmingham for having too many dogs at her home. That’s why about a week ago she obtained this vacant space. It may not be fancy but it’s better than them being taken somewhere and euthanized.”

Buikema said he did not know how his client obtained the dogs or what fees she might charge for adoptions.

He said he knew that they had been kept in a room with a cement floor, covered with newspapers, that was cleaned twice a day and animals were fed regularly.

“She takes in all kinds of dogs and some, like puppies, are easier to place than older dogs. She even had one dog with only three legs,” Buikema said.

“I think she just loves animals and saving them has become a full-time compulsion.”

Riley said for now, the animals will remain in the county’s care and may eventually be put up for adoption.