Animal investigator earns national recognition for Ypsilanti pet store raid
Updated Mar 08, 2021;
Posted Mar 08, 2021
Melinda Szabelski, Cruelty and Rescue Supervisor at Washtenaw County’s Humane Society of Huron Valley,was named a “local hero” as part of the Humane Society of the United States Stop Puppy Mills Campaign.
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WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI It didn’t take long for Melinda Szabelski and her team of Humane Society of Huron Valley investigators to find dozens of animals being kept in unsanitary conditions at Pet City Pet store a year ago.
Animals inside the Ypsilanti Township store were showing signs of illness, Szabelksi said. Discharge from the eyes and mouth were easily visible, while the cages and aquariums some of the animals were kept in were filthy, and the animals were left without food or water, she said.
Pet shop owner charged with animal cruelty sentenced on violation
Updated Dec 14, 2020;
YPSILANTI TWP., MI – An Ypsilanti Township pet shop owner accused of failing to properly take care of the animals in his shop, selling sick and dying animals, has been sentenced to probation.
Stuart William Collins, owner and operator of Pet City Pets, was sentenced Nov. 12 to nine months of probation after pleading guilty to one misdemeanor count of committing a pet shop violation, court records show.
Collins, 68, was originally charged with one felony count of animal cruelty against 4-10 animals, records show.
He pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor charge, Sept. 24, after a deal was reached where the charge would be dismissed under the prosecutor’s voluntary deferred sentence program so long as he successfully completes probation.