Mount Clemens says sheriff's review found no evidence of animal-cruelty violations as residents press for clearer enforcement

The Mount Clemens City Commission on Tuesday read a formal statement saying investigators found no evidence of animal-cruelty violations at a property that has drawn renewed attention on social media. The city's statement said a Macomb County Sheriff's Office detective reviewed complaints back to 2016 and consulted Macomb County animal control, and "found no evidence of violations of local ordinances or state law by the dog owner."

The statement, read by the presiding officer, said the city and the sheriff's office have responded to more than 40 complaints about the property since 2016 and that the only issue identified during that period was dog licensing, which was promptly corrected. The city noted it adopted Macomb County animal-control best practices in 2023 and strengthened language in May 2025 related to extreme weather and outdoor habitats. "Based on the findings of the investigation, there is no factual basis to support claims of animal cruelty," the statement said, adding the matter appears rooted in a neighbor dispute and that the city will continue to respond to new credible complaints.

Several residents used the public-comment period to press the commission for clearer enforcement and more timely responses. Mary Lou Boomer said neighborhood sleep disruption from dogs barking at night has been persistent and asked whether the owner holds a license to keep more than four dogs and whether breeding is permitted. "Isn't the fact that they're barking all night and keeping all the neighbors up? Isn't that reason enough that enough is enough?" Boomer asked.

Sharon Stuckey described dogs left in freezing weather and called the practice "animal abuse," saying volunteers and activists are seeing animals suffer and urging the city to act. "It's animal abuse," Stuckey said. Janet Berenson said neighbors have tried repeatedly to get help and often receive no return call, asking, "What do we do if in the middle of the dead of winter these animals are screaming in a backyard? Who do we call?"

City leaders acknowledged the concerns and reiterated that staff and the sheriff's office will respond to new, credible complaints. The commission said the city's animal-control enforcement follows county best practices adopted by the city and that licensing violations previously identified were corrected. Officials encouraged residents to document incidents and use the city's reporting channels so staff can investigate and, when appropriate, refer matters to county animal-control authorities or law enforcement.

Next steps: the city said it will continue to monitor new complaints and respond promptly; residents urged that the city clarify the phone numbers and processes for emergency response and for gathering admissible evidence of violations.