Families mourn dogs killed in Michigan kennel fire

Muskegon – Families and community members mourned the loss of 30 dogs at a memorial service after a western Michigan kennel was engulfed in flames.

Clock Funeral Home in Muskegon held the service Thursday to honor the pets that died in the fire at Storm’s Ahead Kennels in Fruitport Township. The kennel was full when the fire occurred March 30, the first day of spring break for many local families.

Kennel owner Janet Rehfus said during the service that there aren’t enough words for how bad she feels. She said calling each family to share the news was a nightmare.

Firefighters couldn’t recue the dogs from the kennel, which was already covered in flames when they arrived. Authorities determine the fire was an accident, but haven’t yet identified the cause.