Brianna Makosky

ESCANABA – A Cornell Township woman faces multiple felony charges after being accused of biting a Michigan State Police trooper during an animal neglect investigation that reportedly uncovered dozens of dead or malnourished animals on the property where she lived.

Brianna Makosky, 22, was arraigned Thursday in the 94th District Court in Escanaba on three felony counts of resisting, obstructing and assaulting a police officer. Bond was set at $4,000 cash/surety.

According to a news release, the MSP Gladstone Post on Tuesday received a report of alleged animal neglect in Cornell Township. After an initial investigation, authorities obtained a search warrant for a property on County Road 426, where Wednesday afternoon authorities discovered the remains of several animals — including cats, rabbits, pigs and goats — plus others in malnourished and unhealthy conditions.

The news release states that 14 cats, 12 rabbits and one sheep were removed from the property with the assistance of the Delta Animal Shelter.

Makosky resisted and obstructed troopers and refused to comply with lawful orders while investigators were conducting the search, according to MSP, which added in the news release, “The woman then bit one of the troopers on the wrist. She was informed that she was under arrest, and she continued to fight with the troopers, including attempting to bite another trooper.”

She remained in the Delta County Jail as of Friday morning.

The animal neglect investigation remains ongoing and will be submitted to the Delta County Prosecutor’s Office for review once complete.

Makosky is set to be back in court Feb. 19. The MSP stressed she is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.