Michigan couple wanted after 2 puppies found starved to death inside empty home
Michigan couple wanted after puppies found starved to death
According to Sheriff Chris Swanson, animal control was called to a home on Justin Drive in Grand Blanc Township because of a barking dog on Nov. 27 - 16 days after the manager of the Parkwood Mobile Home Park saw Austin and Cross moving out.
GENESEE COUNTY, Mich. (FOX 2) - Authorities are on the hunt for two people who left their dogs behind to starve inside a Genesee County home.
Charges have been authorized against 46-year-old Bruce Arlyn Austin and 43-year-old Jamie Lynn Cross after two of their dogs were found dead in an empty home last fall.
The backstory:
According to Sheriff Chris Swanson, animal control was called to a home on Justin Drive in Grand Blanc Township because of a barking dog on Nov. 27 - 16 days after the manager of the Parkwood Mobile Home Park saw Austin and Cross moving out.
When they arrived, they found two puppies who had starved to death, and another dog who, thankfully, was still alive. The door and wall were damaged by the animals trying to claw their way out of the home, Swanson said.
(Photo: Genesee County Sheriff's Office)
During a necropsy of the deceased animals, hair, plastic, and metal were found in their stomachs. Swanson said the dogs were eating those objects since they did not have any food.
"Jamie and Bruce did this," Swanson said, while showing a photo of the dead puppies. "Sometimes, it's the photo that brings to reality what's happening."
The surviving dog, who is now named Bubba, is currently living in a foster home.
Swanson said he will remain in a foster home until Cross and Austin are found because they must sign over the dog, according to Michigan law.
Genesee County man charged after 2 starved dogs found abandoned in filthy cages
A Genesee County man is now facing charges after authorities say he abandoned his two dogs, leaving them behind in small, filthy cages.
What's next:
Austin and Cross are wanted for three counts of killing and torturing animals and one count of animal cruelty.
Swanson said the pair is from the Flint area, but they also have ties to the Traverse City area and Arizona.
The sheriff is advising people who know where Austin and Cross are to call 911.
The Source: Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson provided information for this story.