Pet Search owners face charges for December kennel inspection
More charges were filed Monday against the owners of a Canton Township kennel, following a Dec. 12 inspection.
Kent and Sherry Knight, of 257 Point View Drive, who run Pet Search, were each charged by Steve Stoehr, the state dog warden, with five counts each of failure to maintain kennel in sanitary and humane conditions. Sherry was additionally charged with failure to maintain records for the dogs.
Sherry Knight said Tuesday morning she was unaware of the most recent charges.
The couple had faced similar charges in September following an Aug. 30 inspection. Since the inspection happened just after the couple had taken in 10 German shorthaired pointers that had been seized from an alleged puppy mill, their kennel was overcrowded. Most of those dogs were placed in foster homes the day after that inspection. Most of those charges were dismissed as part of a plea deal Dec. 5.
That same day, Stoehr visited the kennel and pointed out sanitary concerns. He returned a week later, Dec. 12, for an “unannounced inspection,” to see if the Knights had followed up with those sanitation concerns.
During that inspection, Stoehr found some of the same issues he had pointed out a week prior, including two wall feeders in the basement that had caked-on debris along the top and sides, according to the criminal complaint.
He also found in the living quarters where dogs were housed, more than 20 cats roaming free, which led to soiled floors throughout the house and not enough ventilation for the odors, the complaint said. There was also a strong odor of ammonia. Stoehr said there was “an abundance of clutter throughout both the living quarters and the basement where dogs were housed.”
There was also evidence of a rodent infestation in the basement, with walls that had been chewed through and “excessive” rodent waste, he said. Also in the basement, was heating ductwork that had rusted and started separating, which could possibly injure an animal, the complaint said. A hearing on the most recent charges against the Knights is set for 9 a.m. March 26 before District Judge David Mark.