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Michigan Animal Control Officer Wins Victory for Animals

March 06, 2009, 12:50PM MT

By Cheri Moon

Forcing an Investigation Leads to Closure of Puppy Mill

Forcing an Investigation Leads to Closure of Puppy Mill

by Debbie Watson, Best Friends Network Volunteer

Diligence and persistence by a concerned animal control officer, Ann Marie Rogers, closed a puppy mill in Sterling Heights, Michigan.

Rogers' evidence-gathering was often graphic and disturbing, even to this toughened officer. In fact, Rogers says, "It took almost five years of intensive investigative labor, complete with death threats, to reach its conclusion." This "conclusion" resulted in the conviction of Lorri Nichiow, owner of Lornich Kennels, for three felony counts of animal cruelty and the closure of her kennel in 2008.

Building A Case Against A Puppy Mill
Under current Michigan Law, while the first offense of Animal Abuse is a misdemeanor, you can be charged with a felony for any future Animal Abuse crimes.

Animal Control Officer Rogers received multiple complaints about Lornich Kennels starting in January of 2004. Rogers began investigating the kennels shortly after and stated, "I found the conditions at the kennel deplorable—filthy, sick animals, overcrowding, improper shelter—all animals were housed outside regardless of Michigan winter temps."

The breeds Nichiow had caged included: Doberman pinscher, shih tzu, Lhasa apso, Rottweiler and her own creation, the “jackbeas,” a Jack Russell terrier/beagle cross that Nichiow claims are excellent hunters.

A misdemeanor animal abuse ticket was issued and Rogers "secretly called the news to televise the raid, which didn't take place until August of 2005." One year and seven months after the original complaints were filed, action was finally taken to save the animals.

Fate of the Animals Frustrated Officer
Rogers was only allowed to rescue six animals out of the 250 found on the premises and she shared the difficulty in forcing a raid on Nichiow's property. Says Rogers, "I got resistance all the way from my own PD to the attorney. The City of Sterling Heights did not prosecute the case. I had to beg to get it prosecuted by a county prosecutor and finally succeeded. Someone had to stand up against animal abuse and I was proud to take on the challenge."

After a week-long trial, Nichiow was charged and convicted of two counts of Animal Abuse, a misdemeanor since it was her first conviction. At that time, the court did not order Nichiow to cease operation of her kennel. She was merely sentenced to two years of non-reporting probation, and reprimanded for her actions. The court ordered Nichiow to "clean up the kennel and take care of her sick animals."

Says Rogers, "Lornich Kennels even got the six confiscated animals back." The court also secured a promise from Nichiow that she would never run a puppy mill again, nor would she act in a cruel manner toward animals. When hearing of Nichiow's abusive treatment toward animals, the American Kennel Club suspended her license for ten years.

Brazen Contempt for the Law
Rogers continued to receive complaints, even after Nichiow’s conviction and "promise" to never run another puppy mill. Nichiow never complied with the first court order, as she continued to operate a brutal puppy mill. Rogers reports, "Finally in 2008 there were so many more complaints there was another inspection of her kennel."

Because it was clear nothing had changed and the animals "were still in serious jeopardy, still sick, living in filth and overcrowded, that further action was necessary." Rogers called a veterinarian and a TV reporter to cover this 2008 raid on Nichiow's kennel.

This time, as TV cameras were recording the raid, Rogers was able to rescue seventy-five animals, and Nichiow was charged with a felony for her second known offense of Animal Abuse. The three felony counts of Animal Abuse, to which Nichiow pled guilty, resulted in five years of non-reporting probation during which time she cannot operate a kennel or have any dealings with animals. Nichiow was given a $17,000 fine and the American Kennel Club revoked her license for life.

Nichiow is currently living in Croswell, Michigan and Rogers has heard she is starting yet another kennel with her sister, using a different name!

Get Personally Involved
Unfortunately, there aren't enough success stories, and if this is considered success, it's clear that more citizen involvement is needed. Consider being a hero to animals by offering your time and talents whenever and however you can.

How You Can Help

• Read What To Do If You Suspect A Puppy Mill

• Never purchase a dog over the internet without inspecting the property from where the dogs were raised. For more information about how puppy mills trick unsuspecting owners and use the internet to sell dogs, click here.

• Know your state's Puppy Mill Laws

• Download the guide, “Nine Things You Can Do to Help Stop Puppy Mills.”

• Join The Truth About the Pet Trade community to learn more about how you can help in your community.

• Find and support individuals like Ann Marie Rogers in your community who are fighting such puppy mills atrocities.

Stock photo by Clay Myers, Best Friends Staff
Posted by Cheri Moon, Best Friends Staff

Comments

Posted March 06, 2009, 2:46PM by ruthy92

What usually happens in these cases is that the AKC knew about these issues long before they surfaced.

When the abuse went public, however, THEN the AKC, facing embarassment, did something. They "suspended" the breeder, or maybe just gave her a little time out.

She may be back to registering dogs with AKC already from her relative's place.

The AKC just does not want to give up those puppy mill registration dollars!

It takes public exposure for AKC to suspend these abusive breeders, and even then it is often temporary!

In other areas, the AKC and AKC breeders have put pressure on authorities to allow these puppy mills to keep operating and have manipulated authorities into refusing to prosecute.

And some authorities have colluded with these breeders and their lobbyists.

It takes a real hero, like Ann Marie Rogers, to stand up to this corruption and business lobbying, and save lives.

Another ridiculous thing is that authorities that are refusing to prosecute these puppy mills are helping tax cheats!

Most millers underreport or don't report income and don't pay proper taxes.

Some even brag about it!

For more on the AKC puppy mill business http://www.bogartsdaddy.com/Bouvier/Bouv_Pages/article-inquire-puppymills-AKC.htm

The AKC even has a large volume breeder committee to handle their puppy mill business now

Posted March 06, 2009, 12:54PM by cajunbiker

It is so sad that it takes so much to get to the final result.

Posted April 01, 2009, 9:41AM by bordercolliemom

How long did these dogs go on suffering after she was caught!! Amazing nothing done. Bless Ann Marie for her dilligance The AKC revoked her license, big joke. Only afer the embarrassment of publicity did they do something. Too bad ,must have really hurt their dollar take. And now she opens another one. No surprise there. What the law should do is penalize not only her but anyone that would lend their name to allow her to continue her evilness. Start puitting these people in jail maybe then they would think twice about running a puppoy mill.

Posted March 09, 2009, 2:5PM by Kelly4cats

These monsters just set up shop somewhere else because all they do is get a slap on the wrist!!!!!!!!!! No jail time for all those animals who died or suffered so terribly. We reap what we sew.

Posted April 09, 2009, 12:51PM by hz4dkr

Ann Rogers was not employed as an Animal Control officer at the time that the second raid was conducted. Credit should be given to the other AC officers and rescues that did pull animals out of that house and assisted that day. Ann was not onsite that day.