iminor@dailypress.net
Daily Press file photo
A dog taken from an alleged puppy mill is cared for at the Delta Animal Shelter last year. The rights to the animals seized was forfeited during a hearing Monday in Delta County District Court.
ESCANABA In what would have been a packed courtroom, Rebecca Sue Johnson of Maple Ridge Township voluntarily forfeited the animals she is accused of abusing and neglecting in an alleged puppy mill during a brief hearing Monday.
Two hundred people logged into the civil forfeiture hearing, which was held over Zoom early Monday morning, including Johnson and her attorney Derek Swajanen. A handful of court staff and Delta County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Lauren Wickman filled the 94th District courtroom, wearing masks and separated by plexiglass dividers.
ILSA MINOR
ESCANABA In what would have been a packed courtroom, Rebecca Sue Johnson of Maple Ridge Township voluntarily forfeited the animals she is accused of abusing and neglecting in an alleged puppy mill during a brief hearing Monday.
Two hundred people logged into the civil forfeiture hearing, which was held over Zoom early Monday morning, including Johnson and her attorney Derek Swajanen of Marquette. A handful of court staff and Delta County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Lauren Wickman were present in the 94th District courtroom, wearing masks and separated by plexiglass dividers.
“I do understand that we have a number of people observing this proceeding … basically as spectators, as they would be entitled to do if the court was open for business and we could allow people in the courtroom,” said District Court Judge Steve Parks before warning spectators not to unmute themselves during the proceedings. While it has not been the court’s policy to publicly hold hearing
Woman forfeits rights to 250 dogs, horses in ‘horrible’ UP puppy mill case
Updated Jan 11, 2021;
Posted Jan 11, 2021
Macy was the first to deliver a litter after Michigan State Police seized animals from an alleged Upper Peninsula puppy mill in August. The top photo shows Macy with her puppies after a difficult labor two days after she was moved. The bottom photo shows Macy s improved health and mental state six weeks later. Delta Animal Shelter is now caring for 167 puppies and 65 dogs while the Delta County Prosecutor s Office reviews the case for possible criminal charges.Delta Animal Shelter
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ESCANABA, MI – A woman who is facing animal cruelty charges for what authorities have called a “horrible” puppy mill today forfeited her rights to more than 250 dogs and horses that were seized from her residence in August.
iminor@dailypress.net
ESCANABA Like the rest of the world, the coronavirus pandemic dominated the local news in 2020. As 2020 draws to a close, here’s a look at some of the major local news stories of the year.
January
1 Escanaba residents Georgios Sitaras and Jami Hentz welcomed OSF St. Francis Hospital and Medical Group’s first baby of the new year at 7:32 a.m. Nicoletta Elizabeth Sitaras weighed 7 pounds, 1.9 ounces and was 19 inches long. She was the couple’s first baby together.
10 Delta County Sheriff’s Department now has two K-9 units after Deputy Chad Newton and K-9 Officer Sage completed training. Newton and Sage, a female Dutch shepherd, are a certified K-9 unit after weeks of being trained by K-9 Master Trainer Marty Munger of Superior K-9 Training, based in Marquette.