MT. CLEMENS, Mich. (WXYZ) — Mother and daughter in Mount Clemens have been charged with animal abuse and neglect after dog found in deplorable conditions at home.
Police say a male, grey, mixed-breed dog was found at a home emaciated, covered in fleas and unable to walk without assistance. The dog scored a 1 out of 10 on the Purina Body Scoring Chart.
“This is an appalling case of animal cruelty and neglect,” said Prosecutor Eric Smith. “The circumstances this dog was forced to endure are utterly inexcusable. This poor animal was emaciated, covered fleas, and suffering from a severe spinal deformity likely due to neglect.”
According to a release, the daughter, Deja Dodd, of Eastpointe, went to the Eastpointe Animal Control on Wednesday, Sept. 4 to report that she found a stray dog along Gratiot Avenue. When animal control arrived to Dodd's mother's residence, they found the dog in poor condition.
It was later revealed through the investigation that the dog wasn't a stry found on Gratiot, but had been living at the mother's home for months.
When Eastponte police conducted a welfare check, they found that the home had a strong smell of urine and feces. Dog urine was found on the floor in multiple locations and dog feces on the wall. A dog crate was also found behind a garage wall with piles of feces and no food or water in the area.
The mother, VIctoria Johnson, is charged with third-degree animal killing/torturing, a four-year felony. Johnson's daughter, Deja Dodd, is charged with animal cruelty and false report of a misdemeanor, which are both 93-day misdemeanors. Additonal, both mother and daughter were given $10,000 bonds.
