Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties

Wakefield couple charged with animal neglect

By IAN MINIELLY

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BESSEMER — A married Wakefield couple faces felony animal cruelty charges for their treatment of eight dogs and 13 cats found malnourished and allegedly abused.

Gerard Joseph Herlache, 51, and Lawrence C. Murphy, 52, were each arraigned Monday on two counts of abandoning/cruelty to 10 or more animals. Each of the felony counts carries a potential maximum sentence of four years in prison, a $5,000 fine and/or up to 500 hours of community service.

The charges stem from a visit the Gogebic County Sheriff’s Department made to the couple’s home...