By J. PATRICK PEPPER
Times-Herald Newspapers
DEARBORN — The man who authorities say lived with hundreds of Chihuahuas in filth at a house on Orchard Street now could face up to eight years in prison.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy on Thursday announced two charges of criminal animal cruelty against Kenneth Lang Jr. Each count carries a maximum four-year prison sentence, and if found guilty on both, Lang could be ordered to serve them consecutively.
Lang was released on a $25,000 personal recognizance bond after being arraigned in 19th District Court by Judge William Hultgren. Conditional to Lang’s release was that he not own any animals while the charges are pending. Lang, 56, is due in court for a preliminary hearing Sept. 11.
In describing the two charges – one each for the 105 live dogs and more than 150 dead dogs found at the house – Worthy said Lang’s actions were “very deliberate.” She described squalid conditions at the 1,320 square-foot house that was condemned for demolition by city authorities earlier this month.
Worthy said several of the dogs were emaciated, and that some appeared to have been kept in Tupperware containers. Some had severe puncture wounds, and there also was evidence suggesting some may have been euthanized via an injection to the heart, she said. She would not elaborate on the puncture wounds.
Lang’s attorney, James Schmier, said he was “outraged” that his client was charged. Schmier said Lang suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder and needs treatment, not jail time.
“I think we used to do this in the Middle Ages,” Schmier said, referencing how mentally disabled people have been treated in the past.
Schmier said Lang has been living at a group home in Oakland County since July.