The remains of a Mastiff weighing more than 100 pounds were pulled from the grease pit of a Madison Heights restaurant Sept. 19.
By: Andy Kozlowski | Madison-Park News | Published September 22, 2025
MADISON HEIGHTS — Authorities are investigating how a dog wound up dead in a dumpster used for discarding grease behind a Madison Heights restaurant.
The grisly discovery was made early in the morning on Friday, Sept. 19 by the owner of the business in the 29000 block of John R Road. Authorities shared no further specifics on the location of the incident.
The business owner allegedly came across the dead dog while discarding grease in a dumpster located behind the restaurant. Upon discovering the remains, the owner first called Madison Heights Animal Control. The case was then referred to Oakland County Animal Control.
“It’s impossible to determine a breed without a DNA test, but the dog looked as if it could be a pit bull,” said Bob Gatt, manager at Oakland County Animal Control, in a text message.
The carcass had been swaddled in a blanket before being submerged in the grease.
“There is no indication of animal abuse or neglect. There were no obvious wounds on the dog when we looked at it,” Gatt observed. “The dog could have been in the grease pit for up to two weeks, which would have made a necropsy impossible. The dog had no microchip, nor did it have a license. There were no security cameras in the area of the grease pit; thus, (it is) impossible to determine who put the dog there. It was wrapped in a blanket, giving our investigators the impression that the dog was deceased before it was put in the pit.”
Gatt also speculated that whoever put the dog there might have mistaken the grease pit for a regular dumpster since it resembles one. The size of the remains proved to be challenging.
“The weight of the dog, estimated to be more than 100 pounds, and the grease-soaked blanket made it difficult to remove,” said Steve Huber, the public information officer with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, in a police report.
In a follow-up email, Huber added, “The Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team was asked to assist because they had the skills and equipment needed to remove the carcass from the grease pit.”
Personnel with the search and rescue team had to deploy winches to extricate the remains.
If you have more information about this incident, call the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office at (248) 858-4950 or Oakland County Animal Control at (248) 858-1070.