Animals & Pets

Published July 26, 2017

Oakland County Animal Shelter unleashes dog-walking program

TROY — Although it was sweltering July 21, Marcy Korpalski, a client service consultant for Ulliance, a firm that provides workforce services, gave up her lunch break to walk a dog around their office building on Wilshire Drive in Troy.

She took Teeron — a 2-year-old male pitbull who currently lives at the Oakland County Animal Shelter — for a mile-long walk. Korpalski and other Ulliance employees have walked temperament-tested dogs every other Friday since May as part of Oakland County’s Fitness Unleashed program.

Published July 26, 2017

Sterling Heights Sentry

Fire crew rescues ducklings from sewer

Thanks to local firefighters, life turned out just ducky for a swarm of ducklings July 12, but officials warned that people should not endanger themselves by attempting to rescue such animals from a sewer or storm drain.

Sterling Heights firefighters from Fire Engine No. 2 went to Windwood Drive, which is near Hall Road and Lakeside Circle, at around 5 p.m. July 12 after learning that some ducklings had fallen into a sewer.

Published July 26, 2017

Shelby - Utica News

Shelby Township passes ordinance regarding ‘dangerous animals’

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — On June 20, the Shelby Township Board of Trustees, at the request of Police Chief Robert Shelide, unanimously adopted an ordinance aimed at enforcing “dangerous animal” situations.

Shelide said the ordinance would give police officers some teeth to deal with vicious animals that they encounter, especially vicious dogs. The offense is punishable as a misdemeanor.

Published July 24, 2017

Birmingham - Bloomfield Eagle

Don’t be chicken when it comes to turkeys

BLOOMFIELD HILLS/TOWNSHIP — Bloomfield Hills resident Orlando Rivero was at the Bloomfield Township Senior Center earlier this spring when he spotted a familiar face.

Or rather, a familiar set of feathers.

It was Mr. Turkey, a common sight around the senior center, though it’s not known if that’s his given name. But he’s not the only gobbler that’s been spotted in the Eagle’s coverage area.

Published July 19, 2017

Madison - Park News

Truck delivers big surprise for animal shelter

MADISON HEIGHTS — While Suzette Gysel, the animal control officer for Madison Heights, was away on vacation, a Chevy Silverado rolled into the parking lot of the local Police Department July 7, stuffed with items for the homeless animals and gift cards worth hundreds of dollars.

Published July 19, 2017

Shelby - Utica News

Shelby passes ordinance barring unlawful goose feeding

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — On June 20, the Shelby Township Board of Trustees unanimously adopted an ordinance to control and regulate the feeding of certain birds and waterfowl within the township limits.

Township Attorney Rob Huth stressed that the offense will be a municipal civil infraction, meaning it will not go on a person’s record, and that it does not include songbird feeders.

Published July 12, 2017

Birmingham - Bloomfield Eagle

Police remind pet parents to keep dogs leashed in public

BIRMINGHAM/BLOOMFIELD — Recently, Birmingham Police Chief Mark Clemence traded in his badge for a pen to author an article about playing nice with pets in the city.

The article, published in various local newspapers and websites, was inspired after officers were called twice within a year to respond to incidents involving unleashed dogs.

Published July 11, 2017

Roseville - Eastpointe Eastsider

Roseville resident shoots and kills dog

Roseville police were dispatched to the 26000 block of Lehner Street at approximately 10:30 a.m. July 8 after a 52-year-old Roseville resident shot a pit bull that had attacked the resident’s dog, according to a police press release July 10.

Police described the 52-year-old’s dog as a “mastiff type breed” that was on a leash.

Published July 8, 2017

Mount Clemens - Clinton - Harrison Journal

Falcons fail to hatch for first time

MOUNT CLEMENS — For the first time, peregrine falcons Hathor and Nick were unsuccessful at producing young atop the old Macomb County Administration Building in Mount Clemens.

And there are many possible reasons as to why.

Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel said several factors have been considered by wildlife officials, from the continued construction work being done to the 13-story building to the cold and wet spring.

“They’re saying it could have been complicated by the construction,” Hackel said.

Published June 22, 2017

Shelby - Utica News

Police caution public to keep safe distance, avoid feeding coyote

On June 20, Utica Police Chief Sean Coady told C & G Newspapers that the Police Department is well aware of a coyote that has staked out the field near a floodplain and wooded area across the street from St. Lawrence Catholic Church and School.

Coady said the department receives more than 10 calls a day from people who have spotted the coyote. He said the coyote has so far kept to itself, but he wanted to caution people not to feed it and to stay a safe distance away.

Published June 20, 2017

Woodward Talk

Berkley passes chicken ordinance for 12-month pilot program

BERKLEY — Beginning July 5, Berkley residents will have the chance to apply to own up to three chickens on their properties.

The Berkley City Council approved the pilot program at its June 5 meeting. Five permits will be available for residents.

Published June 14, 2017

Royal Oak Review

Who let the dogs out? New law says you better know, and if they are behaving

CLAWSON — Members of the Clawson City Council unanimously voted June 6 to amend the city’s existing animals ordinance and add a new section that will declare certain actions as a nuisance with a punishment for humans of up to $500.

Elected officials said the intention of the new law is to allow a resident the opportunity to file a complaint for processing through the office of the Clawson prosecutor.

City Attorney Jon Kingsepp reiterated that residents will play a crucial role in enforcing the newly adopted law.

Published June 14, 2017

Madison - Park News

Learn about butterflies at Red Oaks Nature Center

MADISON HEIGHTS — With their roles as pollinators, butterflies are crucial to ecosystems. Their preservation will be the focus of two upcoming events at the Red Oaks Nature Center.

“Raising Monarch Butterflies” is scheduled for 2 to 4 p.m., Saturday, June 17. The butterfly parade is scheduled for 1 to 3:30 p.m., Saturday, July 15, with the parade itself starting at 3. Both are at the nature center at Suarez Friendship Woods, 30300 Hales St. in Madison Heights.

Published June 12, 2017

Farmington Press

Paw Watch program encourages dog walker vigilance, community safety

FARMINGTON HILLS — Farmington Hills resident Suzanne Zimmerly is on police duty, even when she’s strolling around the city with her pooch.

Since April, Zimmerly has been more vigilant while walking her dog — she is on the lookout for potential crime and suspicious behavior in the city.

If she sees it, she will report it to the Farmington Hills Police Department. From a safe distance, of course.

Published June 7, 2017

Roseville - Eastpointe Eastsider

Roseville signs 5-year contract with Macomb County for animal control

ROSEVILLE — In the past, Roseville residents made it clear during City Council meetings that they did not want the city to have a contract with the Animal Care Hospital of Sterling Heights to provide veterinarian services and housing for animals. After months of negotiations, Roseville will have a contract with Macomb County Animal Control Services effective July 1.

The city has a five-year agreement with the county through June 30, 2022.

Published May 31, 2017

Rochester Post

RC students to foster puppies for Leader Dogs for the Blind

ROCHESTER — Those who frequent Rochester College will notice some new four-legged students on campus this fall.

Leader Dogs for the Blind and Rochester College recently launched the RC-Campus Puppy program, a new initiative that allows students to raise puppies that will become guide dogs through Leader Dogs’ training program.

Published May 24, 2017

Woodward Talk

Berkley continues to make changes to proposed chicken ordinance

BERKLEY — An ordinance that would allow Berkley residents to have chickens on their properties had more discussion at the City Council’s May 16 meeting.

Since the last work session on the ordinance in April, city staff made several changes to the document that would allow a resident to keep up to three chickens on their property as pets during a pilot program that would last up to 12 months.

Published May 24, 2017

Birmingham - Bloomfield Eagle

Bat Zone bids farewell to Cranbrook

BLOOMFIELD HILLS — The Organization for Bat Conservation, which has been housed in the Cranbrook Institute of Science for 15 years, is about to take flight for a new home.

Published May 17, 2017

Royal Oak Review

Pet lovers unite: This weekend is filled with pet events

ROYAL OAK/CLAWSON — What do you get when you host two animal-loving events throughout the area in one weekend? A cornucopia of tail-wagging, sloppy kisses and “furever” friends.

The spring edition of Meet Your Best Friend at the Zoo and the 12th annual Claws & Paws take place this weekend, and both events are free to the public for entry and parking.

Claws & Paws

Published May 17, 2017

Royal Oak Review

Discussions to continue about penalizing owners of nuisance animals

CLAWSON — City Attorney Jon Kingsepp was expected to continue the discussion May 16 about a new ordinance governing animals deemed a public nuisance.

Kingsepp was expected to revisit the conversation that started earlier in the month after the majority of City Council members passed the first reading of an ordinance creating sanctions aimed at animals that cause a nuisance. The council was not expected to pass the ordinance on second reading during the May 16 meeting, which was held after the Review went to press.