(WXMI) — The judge overseeing Lisa Cober’s criminal case issued an order this week saying she would have to pay back the full amount of restitution she received as part of her sentence.
Seventy-eight dogs were seized from Cober’s Norton Shores home back on Jan. 30, 2023.
The dogs, many in poor health, were distributed among local shelters and rescues, including Big Lake Humane Society and Harbor Humane Society.
The shelters are still facing outstanding bills for the care of the dogs, many of which required extensive medical treatment for conditions such as canine distemper, parvovirus and malnutrition.
While Cober pleaded guilty to one count of animal neglect, her attorney requested that donations received by the shelters in recent months be counted towards her restitution amount.
She was facing just over $37,000 in restitution.
The Muskegon County Prosecutor’s Office pushed for her to personally pay the full amount.
“When it comes to cruelty or neglect to animals, we take that very seriously,” Muskegon County …