A Michigan woman accused of dealing drugs has permanently lost ownership of 24 animals — dogs, puppies and turtles — kept in “deplorable conditions” at her home, according to authorities and news reports.
Michelle Reyntiens, of Warren, was arrested last month on charges of possession of a controlled substance and animal cruelty involving 10 or more animals, the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office said in a February 13 news release.
Reyntiens, 57, who was accused of dealing drugs locally, was found with crack cocaine, as well as 20 dogs — 11 of which were puppies — and four turtles at her Warren home, according to the agency. Warren is located within the Detroit metropolitan area.
Authorities executing a search warrant at her home on February 12 found her residence in an “unsanitary state” as well as the hoarded animals, several of which “appeared to require immediate medical attention,” the sheriff’s office said.
Macomb County Animal Control safely took all 24 of the animals into the organization’s care, according to the sheriff’s office.
The animals will not be returned to Reyntiens, per a judge’s ruling, The Detroit News reported.
A district court judge ordered the permanent removal of the 20 Pomeranian/Shih Tzu dogs and Red-eared slider turtles on Wednesday, March 11, according to the newspaper.
Reyntiens’ defense attorney did not immediately return Us Weekly’s request for comment on Friday, March 13.
“Caring for an animal is not optional — it is a legal and moral responsibility,” Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido said in a statement on Thursday, March 12, the newspaper reported. “When people neglect or mistreat animals in their care, it is not only heartbreaking, it is a crime.
“My office takes these cases seriously, and we will prosecute those who fail to provide the basic care and protection animals deserve,” Lucido said.
Macomb County Animal Control is rehabilitating the animals and trying to find new places for them to live, according to prosecutors, the Macomb Daily reported.
If Reyntiens is found guilty of possession of a controlled substance, she would face up to four years in prison, according to the sheriff’s office. If she is convicted of animal cruelty in connection with at least 10 animals, she would also face up to four years in prison on that charge.
She is due in court next for a hearing set for April 26, The Detroit News reported.
If you know of or suspect animal abuse or neglect, you are urged to contact the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals through their website or call your local animal control officer.
