Michigan couple wanted after 2 puppies found starved to death inside empty home

Sheriff Chris Swanson reports that on November 27, 16 days after the Parkwood Mobile Home Park management noticed Austin and Cross leaving, animal control was summoned to a residence on Justin Drive in Grand Blanc Township due to a barking dog.

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    Bruce Austin and Jamie Cross are accused of abandoning their three dogs in a Grand Blanc Township mobile home.
    
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    When animal control was called to the home more than two weeks after the couple moved away, they found two puppies dead.
    
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    Investigators are searching for Bruce and Cross.
    

• 
  Bruce Austin and Jamie Cross are accused of abandoning their three dogs in a Grand Blanc Township mobile home.
  
• 
  When animal control was called to the home more than two weeks after the couple moved away, they found two puppies dead.
  
• 
  Investigators are searching for Bruce and Cross.
  

(FOX 2) Genesee County, MichiganTwo persons who abandoned their dogs to starve inside a house are being sought by authorities.

Bruce Arlyn Austin, 46, and Jamie Lynn Cross, 43, have been charged in connection with the discovery of two of their pets dead at an unoccupied house last October.

The backstory

Sheriff Chris Swanson reports that on November 27, 16 days after the Parkwood Mobile Home Park management noticed Austin and Cross leaving, animal control was summoned to a residence on Justin Drive in Grand Blanc Township due to a barking dog.

Upon their arrival, they discovered one dog that was fortunately still alive and two puppies who had starved to death. According to Swanson, the animals’ attempts to claw their way out of the house damaged the wall and door.

(Image: Sheriff’s Office of Genesee County.)

Metal, plastic, and hair were discovered in the stomachs of the dead animals during a necropsy. Swanson claimed that because the dogs were starving, they were consuming those items.

“Jamie and Bruce did this,” Swanson stated, displaying a picture of the pups that were dead. “Sometimes, it’s the photo that brings to reality what’s happening.”

At the moment, the surviving dog—now known as Bubba—resides in a foster household.

Swanson stated that because Cross and Austin are required under Michigan law to turn over the dog, he will stay in a foster home until they are located.

Associated

Authorities said that a man from Genesee County left his two canines in dirty, tiny cages and is now facing charges.

Next steps:

Austin and Cross are wanted on one count of animal cruelty and three counts of killing and torturing animals.

The two are from the Flint area, but they also have connections to Arizona and the Traverse City area, according to Swanson.

Those who know Austin and Cross’s location are being advised by the sheriff to dial 911.

The information for this report came from Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson.