An arrest warrant has been issued for the Silver Lake man who police discovered was housing 56 chihuahuas in terrible conditions.
Gary McGillem, 64, of 505 W. Hilltop Lane, Silver Lake, is wanted to answer to charges for cruelty to an animal, a Class A misdemeanor; and harboring a non-immunized dog, a Class B misdemeanor. The Kosciusko County Prosecutor’s Office issued an arrest warrant April 7, according to court records.
According to the police report, on March 23, the Silver Lake Fire Department was dispatched to McGillem’s home for a fire. On March 24, police received photos and a text message from SLFD Chief John Conley showing piles of dog fecal matter in front of the kitchen stove. Conley also told police it appeared there were 20 to 30 little dogs in the home and it appeared “the dogs did not go outside to poop.”
Conley also contacted the Kosciusko County Health Department, but was told that due to the current COVID-19 issue, KCHD Environmental Scientist Bill Baxter would not be able to do a home visit.
On April 6, SLFD was again dispatched to McGillem’s home for a fire. McGillem was taken to Kosciusko Community Hospital for an unknown medical issue at this time, according to the police report.
Police informed the Kosciusko County Prosecutor’s Office of the home’s conditions and attempted to reach the Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko County.
On April 7, Silver Lake police obtained a search warrant for the property and arrangements for assistance from the AWL to help remove the animals. During the removal, 56 total dogs were taken in by the AWL. A Silver Lake police officer also suffered a dog bite to the hand during the process.
Dr. Carla M. Carlton, a veterinarian who performed exams on each dog for the AWL, reported she found the dogs to be in generally good overall health, with the exception of demodectic mange. Some dogs were also found to have periodontal disease and/or flea allergy dermatitis and/or secondary yeast and bacterial infections, which are common in animals with mange, Carlton’s report states.
An agreement with the AWL states they will provide one month’s treatment for the mange.
McGillem, according to Conley, was put up in a hotel by the American Red Cross after the second fire and the seizure of the animals, although Conley was unsure where or for how long.
Silver Lake Town Marshal Jason McGlennen said Silver Lake has no ordinance limiting the amount of dogs a person can have.
