ISHPEMING TOWNSHIP — Two children and more than a dozen animals were removed from an Ishpeming Township home Tuesday night after a domestic violence investigation led authorities to discover what they described as unsafe and unsanitary living conditions.

On Thursday, 39-year-old Andrew Lusardi was arraigned in the 96th District Court in Marquette County on two counts of domestic violence, one count of animal abandonment/cruelty involving 10 or more but fewer than 25 animals and one count of fourth-degree child abuse.

Also arraigned Thursday was 34-year-old Brianna Poehls on one count of animal abandonment/cruelty involving 10 or more but fewer than 25 animals and one count of fourth-degree child abuse.

The charges stem from an investigation that began at about 8:10 p.m. Tuesday, when troopers from the Michigan State Police Negaunee Post responded to a domestic violence report at an Ishpeming Township residence.

According to MSP, investigators determined Lusardi had left the residence and returned to his home in the City of Ishpeming. Troopers located the individual and did a warranted search at the residence.

Inside, troopers found two young children, 16 bloodhounds and one cat living in what they described as unsafe and unsanitary conditions, the MSP stated in a news release.

The residence reportedly contained extensive animal feces and urine throughout, and investigators observed additional evidence indicating proper care was not being provided for the children and animals.

Both Lusardi and Poehls were taken to the Marquette County Jail.

Lusardi’s bond was set at $2,000. He is scheduled to appear in court again on July 9.

Poehls was released from jail on a personal recognizance bond and is scheduled to also return to court July 9.

In coordination with Child Protective Services, the children were placed with a relative while CPS completes their investigation.

MSP said the dogs and cat were turned over to the Upper Peninsula Animal Welfare Shelter, or UPAWS, for care and evaluation.

UPAWS announced the bloodhounds are not available for adoption as of Thursday.

As a result of the large intake, UPAWS said it is at capacity and will be unable to accept owner surrenders or stray dogs until further notice.

“If you have considered adopting a pet, now could be a great time and UPAWS encourages you to adopt,” MSP wrote in a news release.

UPAWS also asks the public to call law enforcement if they encounter a stray dog while intakes are suspended.

For more information about UPAWS and pets available for adoption, go to the website at https://upaws.org/, email UPAWS at supervisors@upaws.org or call 906-475-6661.

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Sophie Vogelmann can be reached at 906-786-2021 or svogelmann@dailypress.net.