HAWKS, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Scott Allen Thompson, 56, of Hawks, which is in the northeast corner of lower Michigan, was arraigned in Montmorency County 88th District Court on Friday following an extensive animal cruelty investigation led by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Thompson has pled not guilty to four charges, including:

  • One felony of failing to provide animals with adequate care, punishable by up to seven years in prison and/or a fine up to $10,000 and community service.
  • One misdemeanor of animal cruelty, punishable by up to 93 days in jail, a fine up to $1,000, and up to 200 hours of community service.
  • Two misdemeanors for improper burial of dead animals, each punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a fine up to $500.

DNR steps In.

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“This is a rare situation for the DNR to get involved in, as domestic animal complaints and investigations are not our primary responsibility or focus. However, there were no other resources available,” said Chief Jason Haines, DNR Law Enforcement Division. “This is a very large-scale animal abuse case, and something had to be done.”

Initial discovery and investigation.

In June, DNR conservation officers responded to the more than 50-acre Thompson family property in Atlanta with a search warrant regarding a dead horse. They found 10 deceased animals, including four geese, two chickens, a horse, a pig, a quail, and a rabbit.

The owners were ordered to properly bury the horse, while the other nine animals were sent to the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in East Lansing, where starvation and dehydration were determined to be the causes of death.

Second search warrant and seizure of animals.

On July 23rd, conservation officers returned to the property with a second search warrant. They found numerous animals in poor living conditions, starving, and without water. Officers seized 75 animals and relocated them to adequate facilities for proper care, including 14 geese, 14 sheep, eight chickens and piglets, seven pigs and horses, four dogs and mini cows, three turtles, two goats and cats, and one turkey and rabbit.

Legal proceedings and future steps.

Thompson was arrested on July 18th and remains free on bond pending future court appearances. He is scheduled for a hearing on August 16th. The DNR is also seeking a second suspect in this case.