Bond Set For Suspect In East Bay Township Animal Neglect Case

The owner of a blighted Supply Road home in East Bay Township where more than 160 dogs were discovered last week was arraigned in 86th District Court Tuesday on a felony complaint of  animal abandonment and cruelty, where Judge Robert Cooney set a cash bond of $50,000/10 percent. As part of the conditions of bond if he is released, 72-year-old Raymond Roy Feagles must wear a GPS tether, not possess any weapons or animals, not engage in any threatening or violent behavior, and remain 500 yards from any humane society, East Bay Township Hall, the Grand Traverse County Health Department, and the suspect's wife, Mary Feagles.

Raymond Roy Feagles had both an arraignment for the felony charge and a show cause hearing for violating East Bay Township's blight ordinance Tuesday in front of Cooney. Last week, officials from East Bay Township, Grand Traverse County Health Department's Animal Control, and the Grand Traverse Sheriff's Office went to Feagles' home at 3680 Supply Road to enforce a court order for blight clean-up. In addition to dozens of junk automobiles, officials discovered over 160 dogs on the property, the majority of which were located inside a 1,150 square-foot home. The dogs outside had no protection from the elements, and animals throughout the property lacked adequate water and food, with many infected with fleas and disease. Thirty-two dead dogs were found on the property, and five dogs had to be euthanized due to their condition.

When township officials previously tried to enforce the court clean-up order last fall, Feagles threatened violence against anyone who came on his property, according to Rachael Henry of the Grand Traverse County Prosecuting Attorney's Office. She said Feagles had previously purchased silencers, and township staff told Cooney that multiple weapons were found on the Supply Home property during clean-up over the last several days. Henry cited those factors when she requested that Feagles be denied a cash bond, though she provided a list of requested conditions in the event he was released. Henry noted that Feagles, who has multiple animal and junk ordinance complaints in his past, surrendered approximately 40 dogs to the Cherryland Humane Society in 2014. "As a result of that, he hung around outside the Humane Society and harassed anyone who walked out with his one of his dogs," she said.

Cooney said that given the suspect's past and the fact he was "very difficult to work with" regarding the blight violation civil case, including failing to appear for multiple court dates, "at least some cash bond" was appropriate for the felony criminal case. In addition to a $50,000/10 percent bond - which Paul Jarboe, a temporary court representative for Feagles, said the suspect would be unable to pay - Cooney also agreed to the list of conditions requested by the prosecuting attorney's office, including requiring Feagles to keep a 500-yard distance from any humane societies, East Bay Township Hall, the Grand Traverse County Health Department, and the suspect's wife, whom Henry said was cooperating with police. 

If Feagles is able to make bond, he is prohibited from returning to the Supply Road home. Township staff said the property was nearly cleaned up, but that the residence has been condemned as uninhabitable by Grand Traverse County. Feagles said he owned a property in Mesick with a camper trailer and a generator that he could live at, with the court ordering the disclosure of that address if Feagles is released. Mary Feagles is staying with family at another residence, according to Jarboe.

Feagles entered a not-guilty plea to the felony charge Tuesday, which - because it involves more than 25 animals - could be punishable by up to seven years of imprisonment, a fine up to $10,000, and up to 500 hours of community service. According to a joint press release Tuesday from East Bay Township and the Grand Traverse Sheriff's Office, Grand Traverse County's Animal Control department continues to "facilitate the care of dogs while investigating the cause of death of any deceased canines found. Grand Traverse County Prosecuting Attorney's Office is working with the Grand Traverse Sheriff's Office in case investigation, and appropriate further action may be taken based upon evidence obtained." The court will appoint Feagles an attorney, with a probable cause conference scheduled for February 15 and a preliminary exam scheduled for February 22. Feagles tried to speak for himself at Tuesday's hearing, saying that threats of violence he made during a previous site visit came "in a moment of anger," but Cooney cut the suspect off, warning him he could incriminate himself if he continued speaking.

According to the joint East Bay Township and Sheriff's Office release, Grand Traverse County's Animal Control department was able to call upon multiple other local agencies to respond to the animal crisis at the Supply Road home. "Animal Control Departments from Clare, Charlevoix, Kalkaska, Otsego, Roscommon, and Wexford Counties, along with the Humane Societies of Cherryland and Little Traverse Bay, responded with logistical support, care, and resource," according to the release. "Cherryland Humane Society and Grand Traverse Animal Control are experiencing a wave of support for these animals from the community and region, with donations exceeding $20,000 in funds through its Facebook page and generous supplies pouring in."

Cherryland Humane Society posted Tuesday that it was "overwhelmed with gratitude" for monetary and product donations that have flowed into the shelter. The organization is still in need of cleaning supplies, toilet paper, office paper, pee pads, laundry soap, and M-L Rubbermaid bins with lids as of Tuesday, according to the CHS Facebook page. The organization also maintains an Amazon Wish List and continues to accept cash donations. Donated supplies can be dropped off at Cherryland Humane Society (1750 Ahlberg Road), Grand Traverse Animal Control (2650 LaFranier Road), and East Bay Township Hall (1965 North Three Mile Road).