Charges are now being sought against a Battle Creek area man who allegedly kept several dogs outside during the extreme cold weather this week.

The Calhoun County Sheriff's Office says that during this polar vortex weather that at times saw wind chills as low as -40 degrees F, they received reports of barking dogs left outside an Emmett Township property that appeared to be in distress; the dog were reportedly left without shelter, and with frozen food and water. When deputies attempted to contact the homeowner, they were unsuccessful.

Due to this, a search warrant was obtained for the residence in the 10,000 block of I Drive N in Emmett Township, and executed around 5:15pm Thursday. Sheriff's Deputies seized 17 dogs from the backyard of the residence, and took them to the Calhoun County Animal Shelter to be evaluated by a local veterinarian.

Investigators are now seeking animal cruelty charges against the owner of the dogs, a 65-yer-old Emmett Township man; the man is also suspected of breeding the dogs for dog fighting, and depending on what the ongoing investigation uncovers he could face further charges.

The Sheriff's Office got help from the Battle Creek Police Department Animal Control, Michigan Humane Society, Huron Valley Humane Society, Calhoun County Animal Shelter, Emmett Township Department of Public Safety, Calhoun County Special Response Team, and that local vet.

Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact the Sheriff's Office or Silent Observer. 

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