BRANDON TWP., Mich. (WXYZ) — A Brandon Township man has been charged with the cruelty and neglect of 10 or more animals at a petting zoo following an Oakland County Animal Control Division investigation that began in October.
Andrew Elroy Scott, 32, was arraigned in an Independence Township court Thursday. He faces up to four years in prison.
The defendant owned a roadside petting zoo in Brandon Township, and the investigation involved 31 farm animals, six of which have died.
According to a release, in October, a witness noticed two thin miniature horses at the roadside petting zoo, and proceeded to alert Oakland County Animal Control. A search warrant was then obtained by animal control from 52-2 District Court on Oct. 24 to go onto Scott's property in the 4500 block of Ramsey Road to investigate the claim. The following day, OCAC, Oakland County Sheriff Brandon Township Substation deputies and an enquine veterinarian executed the warrant.
What they found were several thin animals on the defendant's property. After fecal samples were taken, it was discovered that the animals had worms. Scott was advised by animal control to begin veterinary care for the animals and to increase their food intake to gain weight. Officials notified Scott that they would return in 30 days to check in on the animals, because according to the veterinarian and investigators, the condition of the animals did not warrant confiscation at the time.
When investigators attempted to contact Scott a month later to check the progress of the animals, he failed to respond to repeated attempts of contact.
On Dec. 4, animal control obtained another search warrant for Scott's property. Upon arrival, investigators found five deceased animals, which included two calves, two goats (one of which was decaying), and a rabbit. A sixth animal, a calf that was seized, died after being rescued. There were 25 remaining animals that survived that include seven sheep, six miniature horses, six goats, five rabbits and a donkey. The animals are now being cared for at a farm that contracts with the Oakland County Animal Control.
Scott plead not guilty during his arraignment, and was released on a $2,500 personal bond. His next court date is Dec. 20 at 10 a.m. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Dec. 27 at 1:30 p.m.
