Warren woman pleads no contest to animal cruelty charge

Mount Clemens, MI – Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido announced that 57-year-old Michelle Reyntiens pleaded no contest as charged to one criminal count related to animals found to be living in deplorable conditions in her Warren home in February 2026. The animals are described as nine adult Pomeranian/Shih Tzu dogs, 11 Pomeranian/Shih Tzu puppies, and four juvenile Red-eared Slider turtles. 

On Wednesday, July 22, 2026, Reyntiens appeared before Macomb County Circuit Court Judge Anthony R. Servitto where she pleaded No Contest as charged to Animals - Abandoning/Cruelty to 10 or More Animals, a 4-year felony.

She is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Servitto on Monday, September 14, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.

The animals were ordered forfeited by visiting Judge Russell Ethridge at the 37th District Court in Warren, MI on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. The animals became the property of Macomb County Animal Control.

“Animal cruelty is not a mistake—it is a crime. My office will continue to stand up for animals and prosecute those who fail to provide the care and protection they are legally and morally required to give,” Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido stated. 

The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office represents the People. We are committed to achieving justice and following the laws of the State of Michigan. All individuals who are accused of a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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