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Concern lingers over care of dogs and cats

Posted at 6:49 PM, Dec 02, 2015
and last updated 2015-12-02 18:49:07-05

"I've never seen anything more appalling in my life," says Jeremiah Chappelle who went into Detroit Animal Control on Monday to recover a puppy that had been seized from several members of the homeless community.

Chappelle, who helps feed the homeless, says the people who had been taking care of the puppy were more concerned about the welfare of the pet than eating the food he was bringing them.

Woodhaven Mayor Dr. Patricia Odette, who volunteers with the dog rescue group known as C.H.A.I.N.E.D., says she was not only stunned that the poor conditions of the much criticized facility remain, but also that an animal control worker demanded cash for the release of the puppy.

"I'm concerned, as a government official, that cash deals are still going on," said Odette.

Months ago, officials for the City of Detroit promised to begin accepting credit cards. 

Pets were being euthanized when their owners could not pay the fines and costs associated with their release.

On Wednesday, a spokesperson for the City of Detroit said that the credit card system is in place, but some animal control workers did not know how to use it. We're told they were retrained this week and pet owners will be allowed to use credit cards if they wish.

Click on the video above to see Kimberly Craig's report.