BATTLE CREEK, Mich. - Seven dogs and two cats seemingly living alone with only bags of dog food and on occasional visit for their owner.
That's what police said they found inside a home on East Avenue South, near downtown Battle Creek.
Sgt. Jim Martens with the Battle Creek Police Department said a dog jumped from the second story of a duplex to the cement below, getting the attention of neighbors who then called police.
"It appeared to be ematicated," said Sgt. Martens. "Ribs showing, it was a small dog."
Police said the conditions of the home led them to believe the animals were abandoned for a week or so.
"There was garbage, there was a dog found in the closet with feces," said Sgt. Martens. "It didn't appear there was anyone living there. There was a bag of dog food but it appeared the larger dogs in the house had eaten most of the food."
Neighbors we spoke with were surprised that this many animals were found living in the apartment.
"It's out of hand," said one neighbor, Thomas Irons. "I think she was just an animal lover and she just kept them close to her. As far as letting it get out of hand I figure it should of have been handled before that."
According to police the dogs are now in the care of animal control.
Police said they are still in the process of tracking down the owners of the dogs and they could face felony charges.
