Friends of MADACC volunteers call for consequences after 50+ dead animals found in home
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) — Volunteers with the Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control Commission (MADACC) are speaking out after a man was arrested for dozens of dead animals found in his foreclosed home.
Forty-five-year-old Michael Ellis was charged in September with five felony counts of mistreatment of animals.
Volunteers with Friends of MADACC are now pushing for him to get the maximum sentence.
"It was the single most horrific thing I've seen in my life," said Cindy Steinle, founder of Small Scale Reptile Rescue.
As a volunteer humane investigator with MADACC, Steinle has helped on dozens of hoarding cases, but said she had never seen anything like this.
"I have no words to describe how horrible this case was," Steinle explained.
According to the criminal complaint, a Milwaukee city worker visited Michael Ellis' foreclosed home at Teutonia and Villard in August and was met with a foul odor.
Police and MADACC workers found more than 50 dead animals - dogs, reptiles, and birds.
"They had no access to food or water. Many of them were in crates, where their remains were found," said Amila Rizvic, president of Friends of MADACC. "Cruelty like this just cannot go unpunished."
Volunteers said 20 animals were rescued - three dogs and 17 reptiles.
The house has since been demolished.
"We see a lot of horrible things at MADACC as volunteers, but this was one that was like, beyond words," said Friends of MADACC's marketing director, Emily Kinsman.
Several volunteers attended Ellis' scheduling hearing Wednesday.
They have been sending letters to the district attorney, saying animal abuse should not be tolerated.
"I would really hope that the district attorney does not allow this to go to a plea bargain where he gets no time," Steinle said. "I hope he actually does see time for this."
Ellis will appear in court next on Dec. 18 for a status hearing.
Friends of MADACC volunteers said they'll be at every hearing until the end.