Ottawa County Sheriff's Office investigating animal cruelty case

The Ottawa County Sheriff's Office is conducting an animal cruelty investigation involving numerous cats being horded in Olive Township. 

Ottawa County Animal Control deputies began the investigation on May 19, after receiving a tip of numerous cats being housed in a storage shed in the 10300 block of Port Sheldon Street in Olive Township.

On May 19, Animal Control and Road Patrol deputies located a structure that was approximately 8 feet by 5 feet in size. Investigation showed that 27 cats were housed in the structure. Some of the cats were found to be injured or in poor health and all were held in unsanitary living conditions. Several of the cats were found to be pregnant.

On the same day, deputies removed the cats with the assistance of the Harbor Humane Society and all animals have since been treated by a veterinarian.

On May 27, Ottawa County Sheriff's units continued the investigation, which led them to a residence in the 14300 block of Essenburg Drive in Holland Township and another property in the 5700 block of 104th Avenue in Olive Township. After searching the properties, no additional endangered animals were found.

Investigators have identified the owner of the cats as a 68-year-old Holland Township woman. The investigation into the treatment and care of the animals is ongoing. At the completion of the investigation, this incident will be turned over to the Prosecuting Attorney's Office for potential criminal charges related to Animal Cruelty.

This incident remains under investigation and anyone with information is asked to contact the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office or Silent Observer at 1-877-88 SILENT (745368) or via mosotips.com.