This is so disturbing

SUPERIOR TOWNSHIP -- Two more mutilated, dead dogs discovered Sunday -- which brought to nearly 40 the number of animals found killed in a rural area east of Ann Arbor -- have animal lovers and pet owners anxious and taking greater precautions to keep them safe.

A spokesman for the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Department, which provides patrols for the township and also supervises an animal control unit, said late Sunday night it would join the investigation into the growing reports of animal deaths or cruelty.

"Effective (today), we are going to be assigning a detective to it," Sheriff's Cmdr. Dave Egeler said.

The department provides contracted patrols for the township and supervises an animal control unit.

The additional two dog carcasses were found Sunday in a rural, semi-wooded area of the township, according to Kelly Schwartz, director of operations at the Humane Society of Huron Valley.

The gruesome discoveries are fueling fears among area residents, who are keeping pets indoors and rounding up strays to keep them from harm, including four dogs turned in on Sunday.

"What concerns most of us is they are going after people's dogs. What's next? Humans?" asked Terry Morgan, who lives on LeForge near the area where the dead animals have been found.

The animals found Sunday bring the number of suspected cruelty cases to nearly 40 since January, she said, including a dead Rottweiler found Saturday with a rope tied around its neck near LeForge and Geddes roads.

One animal, a cocker spaniel, is believed to have been shot in the head. It was found by hunters in the area.

The other dog killed was a pit bull puppy found by humane society employees.

Also found over the last week were the skinned carcasses of several coyotes, foxes and deer. Schwartz said the physical condition and decomposition of several animals have led Humane Society workers to suspect they had died some time ago. In many cases, the animals also were decapitated.

"It's disturbing to those of us who work with injured, abused or neglected animals, but it's also frightening other animal lovers," Schwartz said.

Schwartz said one lost pet brought in Sunday was a 14-year-old dog that wandered out of its yard a few minutes after its owners let it out the door.

"Its owners came here and claimed their pet within a couple hours of it being dropped off. They were relieved. They thought something had happened to it," Schwartz said.

She said none of the killed animals matches missing reports filed with the Humane Society.

None was licensed or tagged and all were scanned for identifying microchips, but none was found. No one has come to the shelter asking to see the animals, she said.

"It's strictly speculative at this point if the same person is responsible for all these, but it's got a lot of people nervous and angry," Schwartz said.

"Some are worried about their pets and stray animals and want to know what they can do to help."

Under state law, anyone convicted of animal cruelty can face up to four years in prison and fines of up to $5,000.

Offenders also can be required to pay court costs and medical treatment for animal victims, attend psychological counseling and relinquish ownership of animals.

Cruelty includes maiming, mutilation, torture, disfiguring, poisoning or killing.

It does not extend to lawful killing of livestock, hunting, trapping, wildlife control, pest or rodent control and animal research.

Trapping season ended March 1.

Officials at the Department of Natural Resources could not be reached for comment Sunday.

However, Morgan said she saw a DNR officer in the area earlier this week.

"This is scary," said Morgan, who keeps her German shepherd and Rottweiler chained up during the day and inside after dark.

"We are all keeping a lookout for any cars driving along here. And none of our animals are going out unattended."

Crystal Duede has lived on LeForge for 30 years and is worried about the safety of her pet and other animals.

"We have an inside cat, and it's not going to get out, I'll tell you that," she said.

"I'd hope anyone who saw a stray on the street would call or turn it over to the Humane Society until they get to the bottom of this."

A society investigator, who has worked with the Washtenaw County prosecuting attorney on other cruelty cases, was in contact with that office last week, Schwartz said.

Schwartz said what began as a $500 reward less than a week ago has grown, thanks to citizens' contributions, to nearly $10,000 now offered for information leading to whoever killed the animals.

Anyone with information should call (734) 662-5585.

serial killer in the making