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Case #16005 Rating: 1.0 out of 5
Puppy found with embedded collar
Milan, MI (US)Incident Date: Friday, Oct 23, 2009
County: Huron
Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Convicted
Defendant/Suspect: Heather Feist
Case Updates: 4 update(s) available
A black Labrador Retriever puppy is recovering from serious injuries after Milan police found the pet inside a home last week with a nylon collar embedded in its neck, authorities say.
The 11-month-old puppy "Lou" was discovered chained up inside a County Street home after police responded to an animal cruelty complaint Oct. 23.
"The (collar) actually cut into the side of the neck, so it was bleeding," Milan Police Chief Jeffrey Lewis said.
Lewis said the collar dug a quarter-inch into the dog's neck.
It's unclear whether criminal charges will be filed. City attorneys, who are reviewing the case, could not be reached for comment today.
The dog's owner told police it was "hyperactive," and she was trying to keep the dog under control, Lewis said.
She signed away her rights as an owner, and the animal is being treated at DHK Animal Rescue in Milan, said Nancy Kilian, the rescue organization's owner.
"He had a raging infection," Kilian said. "The tissue was just so deteriorated in there. It was awful."
There was a maggot in the wound, Kilian said.
Kilian has owned the rescue organization for 16 years and has handled hundreds of embedded collar cases. She said Lou's is "the worst" she's seen.
The dog was treated with antibiotics, and a woman visited the rescue organization Thursday to give the pup a healing massage, Kilian said.
"He was just rolling around when the lady did the massage yesterday," Kilian said. "He's a real happy-go-lucky dog."
The organization is looking for a family to adopt "Lou." Anyone interested can call Kilian at (734) 323-1089.
Case UpdatesA Milan woman who left a puppy tied with a collar so tight that it became embedded into the dog’s neck over time was ordered to serve probation and to pay fines, court records show.
Heather Feist, 36, was sentenced to an unspecified term of probation and must pay $860 in court fines and costs, court records showed.
In January, Feist pleaded no contest to one count of animal cruelty for neglecting Lou, an 11-month-old Labrador mix. The dog was found in her home by authorities and had an infected neck wound caused by the collar.
Feist told officers Lou was given to her by a friend, and the puppy was hyper and needed restraints to protect her belongings. She relinquished ownership in October, and Lou is recovering nicely at the DHK Animal Rescue in Milan, police said.
A court order barring Feist from owning pets remains in effect. | Source: AnnArbor.com - Mar 13, 2010
Update posted on Mar 19, 2010 - 1:58PM |
A Milan woman pleaded no contest to an animal cruelty charge in a case involving a puppy with a collar embedded in its neck.
Court records show Heather Feist, 35, entered the plea during her first pre-trial hearing in district court. She remains free until sentencing March 9, but was ordered not to have or own any animals.
Feist was charged after an 11-month-old puppy was found tied to landing in her residence with a collar that was too tight and was embedded into an infected neck wound, police reports said.
Animal cruelty investigators seized the Labrador mix named Lou from her in October and were preparing him for adoption at the DHK Animal Rescue in Milan | Source: AnneArbor.Com - Jan 11, 2010
Update posted on Jan 11, 2010 - 1:28PM |
A Milan woman was arraigned this week on animal cruelty charges stemming from the discovery of a puppy with a collar embedded into its neck at her home.
Heather Feist stood mute when charged with one count of animal cruelty/abandonment during a brief hearing in district court on Monday, court records show. A not guilty plea was entered on her behalf, and an attorney will be appointed to the case.
Milan police and cruelty investigators with the Humane Society of Huron Valley seized the dog from Feist’s residence after responding to an abuse complaint in October.
The 11-month-old Labrador mix named Lou was emaciated and suffered from a serious neck wound caused by a collar that was too tight, reports said. Feist, 35, told investigators she kept the dog tied to a landing because he was too wild.
Lou was treated with antibiotics and was being prepped for adoption at the DHK Animal Rescue in Milan. Further updates on his condition weren't available this week.
Feist remains free on personal bond pending a pre-trial hearing this week. | Source: AnnArbor.Com - Jan 2, 2010
Update posted on Jan 2, 2010 - 4:53PM |
A Milan woman is now facing an animal cruelty charge after her puppy was found seriously injured by an embedded collar.
Court records show Heather Feist, 35, was charged with one count of animal cruelty/abandonment for leaving Lou, her 11-month old Labrador mix, tied to a landing in her residence with a rope collar that was too tight.
Milan police officers and cruelty investigators with the Humane Society responded to the 200 block of County Street on Oct. 23 after receiving a call about an abused animal. They found Lou emaciated and bleeding, reports said.
The wound was a quarter-inch deep into the dog’s neck and had been there long enough that the skin was actually growing back over the collar, said Nancy Kilian, an animal cruelty investigator and owner of the DHK Animal Rescue in Milan.
Kilian said the wound, infested with insects and maggots, was the worst caused by collar she’s seen in her 16 years of rescuing animals.
“It was potentially deadly because he was on his way to being septic,” Kilian said.
Kilian took Lou in at the shelter after Feist signed away her ownership rights and treated him with cycles of antibiotics and immunizations. He was gaining weight quickly and was recuperating while awaiting adoption, Kilian said.
Kilian earlier said she received nearly 100 calls from potential suitors after news of Lou’s situation spread. However, many weren’t the right fit.
“Families with other pets aren’t ideal because he goes spastic when he sees another animal go by,” she said.
Kilian couldn't be reached over the weekend to find out whether a family has been located for Lou.
Feist told officers she received the dog from a friend about six months earlier, and he was often kept on a leash in the backyard or in the back hallway because he is hyperactive and “out of control,” police reports said.
County prosecutors authorized charges earlier this month, and Feist has not yet turned herself into authorities for arraignment, court records show. She has no attorney listed in court documents, and attempts to reach her by phone were unsuccessful.
Call the DHK Animal Rescue at 734-439-7000 for more information about Lou. | Source: AnnArbor.Com - Dec 13, 2009
Update posted on Jan 2, 2010 - 4:53PM |
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