LAKE COUNTY — Concerns are being raised over a group of dogs stuck at a Northern Michigan animal shelter for more than a year and a half, considered evidence in an animal cruelty case.
Breeders who sold dogs to Michelle Dallaire, a former resident of Lake County who has been charged with animal abuse said they have signed contracts that they can get the dogs returned when instances of animal abuse happen.
Out of state, Icelandic Sheepdog breeder Patty Etzkorn said they have the right to get those animals back, but the dogs are being held as evidence until the case is over.
“Their victims, victims of the condition in which they lived in and victims of which they’re being held now. so, they need to be released. We want the animals, that they’re being victimized right now and that we want to see them released into loving homes,” said Etzkorn.
She said she was shocked when she heard Dallaire who was a fellow dog breeder and animal law attorney was charged with a felony count of animal cruelty for 10 dogs and six cats.
“When you breed the puppies and then you do your best to place them and then to find out this has happened to them, that they’re living like that. It breaks my heart,” said Etzkorn.
She says she found out through Lisa Roelofs, an employee of Dallaire’s that turned her into state police.
“I did not want to see her get the animals back. I tried to contact every single breeder I could find,” said Roelofs.
She said she worked as a farm hand, and reported Dallaire after seeing some red flags, including animals mysteriously passing away.
“I’d come back and there’d be dead goats or dead birds. She’d tell me, ‘oh, this is what happened, or oh, they didn’t pass away or something else’, you know, she’d make stuff up and just tell me I wasn’t, you know, seeing what I was seeing, including when they started keeping the dogs inside and not letting me see them,” said Roelofs.
Since the dogs were seized by the sheriff’s office, Etzkorn has been doing what she can to get the dogs back.
She said with no outdoor dog runs at the shelter, they are basically stuck in jail, only getting exercise when a volunteer takes them out.
“I don’t think they’re meant to be in long term care. They don’t have the facilities for it. They’re subpar,” said Etzkorn.
Lake County Prosecutor Thomas Evans said he’s gotten several calls of concern for the animals but his hand are tied.
“Whether it’s a live animal or a piece of paper. The state is required to preserve that evidence,” said Evans.
Etzkorn said she’s worked with other breeders, including one that lives about two hours away from Lake County, to arrange fosters for the dogs if they can get them released but says they’ve been told it can be a liability.
“The government also takes on responsibilities when they seize that evidence and can be held liable, if it is released. And for example, one of the dogs bites someone or something like that,” said Evans.
He said he realizes the situation is not ideal and he is looking at options. Evans said he is seeing what can be done.
“I am exploring options that may allow for fostering, it may not be possible in the dogs and cats may have to remain at the shelter until the conclusion of the case,” said Evans.
Etzkorn and Roelofs both said they are doing what they can because they want to make sure Dallaire do not get the animals back.
Dallaire is set to be back in court for a pretrial hearing on March 17th.