CHARGED: Orphan Kanines owner faces 86 counts; 85 for "mistreating animals"



RACINE COUNTY (WITI) -- 55-year-old Debra Gray of Racine -- the owner of the Orphan Kanines facility in Caledonia -- where animals were seized last week after a yearly fire inspection of the animal shelter found conditions "hazardous to both humans and animals alike" has been officially charged in the case.

Gray faces 85 misdemeanor counts of "mistreating animals -- intentional or negligent violation" and one count of "operating as a dog breeder or dealer without a license."

Officials last week raided the Orphan Kanines facility -- and two of Gray's residences (one in Caledonia, and one in Racine).

The animals that were seized are being cared for by Wisconsin Humane Society officials -- and Debra Gray has officially surrendered her rights to them.

The Wisconsin Humane Society says as of Monday, June 2nd, it is caring for a total of 81 dogs, 10 cats and two pigs -- seized from the Orphan Kanines facility and the two private residences.

The animals are currently being housed in a facility in Racine -- acquired by the Wisconsin Humane Society for the short term.

According to the Humane Society, 72 animals in total were seized from the Orphan Kanines facility -- seven from a private residence in Racine, and 12 from a private residence in Caledonia. That was reported as of 1:30 p.m. on May 30th -- when there was a total of 91 animals reportedly seized.

Since then, the total number of animals has increased to 93, according to numbers released by the Wisconsin Humane Society on Monday, June 2nd.

Debra Gray



A criminal complaint against Gray says a Caledonia Fire Department lieutenant was conducting routine fire extinguisher inspections on Thursday, May 22nd -- and attempted to conduct an inspection at the Orphan Kanines facility.

The complaint says the lieutenant was met by Gray -- who attempted to prevent the lieutenant from entering the facility.

The lieutenant was eventually let in -- and the complaint says he reported being so overcome with a strong odor of ammonia from animal urine and feces that he had difficulty breathing and swallowing.

A Caledonia police officer was dispatched to the facility on Wednesday, May 28th -- and was able to smell the odor of ammonia while still on the outside of the building. The complaint says the officer believed the ventilation system was not turned on in order to keep the odor inside the facility.

The complaint against Gray says the officer learned Gray had been issued a license to operate a kennel on March 24th, 2014 -- with the order that she not have more than 25 dogs.

The complaint says an officer spoke with an individual with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture -- who stated that Gray had applied for and been denied a license that would have allowed her to shelter 25 dogs in a calendar year.

The complaint says the police officer made contact with Gray at the Orphan Kanines facility on Thursday, May 29th -- and Gray refused to allow him to enter the building -- and instead pleaded that he give her some time, and come back later.

Gray told the officer some of the kennels in the rear of the building had "kind of gotten away from her," according to the complaint.

A search warrant was obtained, and was executed while Gray was at the site with her attorney.

Officers entered the building wearing protective masks and biohazard suits -- but had to quickly exit the building because ammonia levels were too high for officers to safely  be inside the building, according to the complaint.

The Caledonia Fire Department took ammonia level readings -- and reported ammonia levels to be 23ppm at the door, 50ppm five feet in, and 67ppm at the back of the building, according to the complaint.

Officers re-entered and observed large amounts of feces on the floor and inside every kennel. The complaint says some of the feces were beginning to grow mold.

The complaint says animals were observed to have hair that was matted with feces -- and most kennels had inadequate bedding.

Most of the kennels were found to have a hard concrete flooring -- and most of the animals were found to be living inside plastic crates or Tupperware -- according to the complaint.

The complaint says all of the kennels had water dishes -- but only about 80 percent had water. The bowls that did contain water appeared to be cloudy and possibly contaminated, according to the complaint.

The complaint says a pig that was seized did not have water.

The complaint says the buildup of feces became worse as officers approached the rear of the building.

More dogs were located in an office inside the facility -- and feces and urine covered the floor.

The complaint says several of the animals that were removed from the facility had medical ailments: One dog had water buildup in the head, one dog was losing hair, and several dogs had respiratory infections. Some of the dogs were observed to have blisters on their paws -- according to the complaint.

The final count of animals pulled from the Orphan Kanines facility on Kremer Ave. was 64 dogs and one pig -- according to numbers in the criminal complaint against Gray. Officers also observed eight cats -- according to the complaint.

The criminal complaint says 73 animals in total were pulled from the Orphan Kanines facility.

The complaint says officers then executed a search warrant at Gray's residence on N. Main Street in Caledonia -- where they located five dogs on the main level, and six dogs on the upstairs level.

Officers also seized a pig that was housed in a child's play pen.

The total number of animals seized from this residence is 12.

The complaint says feces was observed on the floor of every room -- and the feces appeared to have been walked on by animals and humans.

The furniture also appeared to have been chewed on by animals -- according to the complaint.

The complaint says the pig appeared to be overweight, and had an eye that was swollen shut.

The complaint says other animals seized from this residence were observed to have health problems.

The criminal complaint against Gray makes no reference to the third residence from which animals were seized -- but the Racine County District Attorney confirms with FOX6 News animals were seized from a third residence.

The total number of animals seized from the third residence is unknown -- other than what the Humane Society reported on May 31st -- which was a total of seven animals.

In court on Monday, June 2nd, Gray pleaded not guilty to the charges against her. She posted $5,000 bond -- and signed away her rights to the animals.

Last week, Gray's daughter described her mother as having a big heart -- believing no animal should be killed. She says her mother had too much pride to ask for help with a situation that got out of hand.

Gray has a pre-trial conference set for June 26th.

The Wisconsin Humane Society has established an Amazon Wish List for those looking to assist in caring for the animals that have been seized.

CLICK HERE to take a look at the Amazon Wish List.