© 2024 WNMU-FM
Upper Great Lakes News, Music, and Arts & Culture
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Rock woman pleads guilty to operating puppy mill

Nicole Walton

ESCANABA, MI— The following release is from the Delta County Prosecutor's Office:

On April 27, 2022, Rebecca Johnson entered a plea, as charged, to one felony count of Abandoning/Cruelty to 25 or more animals, and one misdemeanor count of Unregistered Animal Shelters/Pound. Johnson' s plea cancelled the jury trial scheduled to commence on May 2, 2022. Johnson will be sentenced on July 7, 2022 at 2 PM in the 47th Circuit Court.

The investigation into the matter started on August 24, 2020, when a Michigan State Trooper responded to a report of a horse running loose on the roadway in Maple Ridge Township. The horse was secured, and during the course of her investigation, the Trooper observed a large amount of dogs that appeared underweight on the property, as well as the overwhelming smell of feces. Further investigation led the Trooper to locate numerous dogs in outdoor kennels that looked underweight, with matted fur, and some apparent injuries.

A search warrant was obtained for the property later that day, and a total of 135 dogs and 23 horses were seized from the property. Of the 135 dogs, 69 were puppies. The animals were immediately seized by the Delta Animal Shelter, underwent medical evaluations, and received necessary treatment. Several dogs were determined to be pregnant at the time of the seizure, and the total dogs quickly ballooned to close to 200 dogs.

On January 11, 2021, Johnson forfeited her ownership to the animals, allowing for the Delta Animal Shelter to being the process of adopting the dogs and horses to families.

"This is a win for the whole community," stated Acting Prosecutor Lauren Wickman. "The way the people of Delta County responded to the needs of these animals is just incredible. Law enforcement and the volunteers with the Delta Animal Shelter made this case such a success, both inside and outside the courtroom. Our office wanted to make it a priority that she be held accountable for the conditions those animals lived in. No plea offer was ever even considered in this circumstance."

The Delta County Prosecutor's Office sincerely thanks the efforts of Michigan State Police and Delta County Sheriff’s Office for their thorough investigation. The Delta County Prosecutor's Office further thanks the tremendous efforts of the staff, volunteers, and foster families with the Delta Animal Shelter, Bay Veterinary Clinic, D&D Dog Dynamics, Pampered Pets Grooming, and Countryside Veterinary Clinic.

Nicole was born near Detroit but has lived in the U.P. most of her life. She graduated from Marquette Senior High School and attended Michigan State and Northern Michigan Universities, graduating from NMU in 1993 with a degree in English.