Fifty-two-year-old Debra Lynn Rammacher, alias Debbi Atkins-Thorpe, was arraigned on Wednesday on a charge of animal cruelty and neglect in Bloomfield Township's 48th District Court. The specific charge, failure to provide four or more but fewer than 10 animals with adequate care, stems from the March 18 recovery of nine dogs by Oakland County animal control officers from a home in the 5300-block of Hauser Way in West Bloomfield Township. These dogs were connected to the case of the dogs who were seized a week earlier from Aaron Moishe Cemetery in Roseville.
"Kudos to Animal Control Officer Rachel Whitlock and the rest of our staff for their diligence investigating this complex case," said Bob Gatt, manager of Oakland County Animal Shelter & Pet Adoption Center. "We are sending a clear message: Oakland County will not tolerate any form of animal abuse or neglect."
Rammacher, who cooperated with investigators, turned herself in to 48th District Court for arraignment. She faces up to two years in prison and/or a $2,000 fine, if convicted. Her next court date is May 6.
Five of the recovered dogs remain in the care of Oakland County Animal Shelter & Pet Adoption Center pending the outcome of the court case. One of the dogs had a microchip and therefore was returned to its owner. Three of the dogs were humanely euthanized.
This is the second animal cruelty and neglect charge in Oakland County in the past five months. Andrew Elroy Scott of Brandon Township was arraigned in December on a charge of cruelty and neglect of 10 or more animals. Oakland County animal control officers investigated after receiving a tip about the conditions of 31 farm animals at a roadside farm stand petting zoo in Brandon Township, some of which died. Jury selection in Scott's case begins next week.
Oakland County Animal Shelter & Pet Adoption Center, under the leadership of County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, offers housing and medical care to more than 4,000 animals on an annual basis. It also is the public agency charged with enforcement of Michigan's Dog Law of 1919. It is responsible for complete animal control services in 45 Oakland County communities. The Oakland County Animal Shelter & Pet Adoption Center strives to continually improve its save and adoption rates. Staff work toward this goal by educating Oakland County residents about responsible pet ownership, partnering with local 501(c)(3) rescues to help place more animals into loving homes, and participating in nine satellite pet adoption outreach centers.
Published: Fri, Apr 26, 2019
