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Posted on Fri, Apr 2, 2010 : 2:12 p.m.

Dog likely beaten with hammer in Ypsilanti; owner arrested on animal cruelty charge

By Juliana Keeping

A dog possibly beaten with a hammer outside an Ypsilanti apartment building is recovering from injuries at the Humane Society of Huron Valley while the dog's owner awaits charges of animal cruelty.

Ypsilanti police received a call around 11:30 p.m. Thursday that a man was kicking and beating a small white dog outside an apartment complex in the 800 block of Green Road.

The man surrendered the 19-pound dog, a male Jack Russell mix named Shadow, this morning, said Matt Schaecher, supervisor of cruelty rescue for the Humane Society. The dog was adopted from the Humane Society a few weeks ago. 

Shadow is about 18 months old.

Shadow dog standing.jpg

Shadow, an 18-month-old Jack Russell mix, has been surrendered by his owner to the Humane Society of Huron Valley. The dog's owner was arrested Thursday after witnesses called police to report a man beating the dog with a hammer; an animal cruelty charge is pending. Shadow will be up for adoption if he recovers from his injuries, which could include head trauma.

Photo courtesy of the Humane Society of Huron Valley

When officers arrived Thursday, they found the injured animal under one of the vehicles, and officers saw blood, a hammer and a broom on the ground. Police arrested the 27-year-old man, and animal cruelty charges are pending, Sgt. Kevin Dorsey said.

In an interview with police, the man said he was trying to housebreak the dog, and the dog had an accident in the house. The man had the pet for three weeks, he told police.

"He claimed he was trying to get the dog so he could bring him back in the house," Dorsey said.

Schaecher said the dog has injuries to its face and one of its front legs, and a laceration inside its mouth. The dog has apparent head trauma and is acting dizzy - it has received treatment and pain medication from veterinarians.

"With any kind of head trauma, there's concern it could be permanent," Schaecher said, noting that time and X-rays will reveal damage.

Shadow, like all dogs who are adopted from the Humane Society, passed screenings that made the dog eligible for adoption. If the dog recovers, he should be eligible for adoption again, Schaecher said.

Those who adopt from the Humane Society must fill out a form that details why they want the pet and where it will be kept. They must provide a driver's license, although background checks aren't common. 

Schaecher said the office keeps a record of those charged with animal cruelty in Washtenaw County.

"If someone has a clean record, it's tough to turn people down," he said. "You want the dogs to go out to good homes, but it's tough to screen and weed out the people like in this case."

Unfortunately, Schaecher said, animal cruelty cases aren't uncommon.

Comments

CONCERNED CITIZEN

Mon, Apr 5, 2010 : 12:03 p.m.

What kind of sentence can you get for this type of animal cruelty? It seems like increasing the jail time, fines and community service requirements would help. Maybe a month chained to a dog house would be a deterent?

snoopjane

Sat, Apr 3, 2010 : 3:42 p.m.

We all have to advocate for stronger sentences for animal abuse cases. If someone did this to a child, it would be attempted murder. When is it going to be the same for an animal?

Woman in Ypsilanti

Sat, Apr 3, 2010 : 12:07 p.m.

The really stupid thing is that beating a dog for having an accident in the house does NOT work. Even if it did, that would be no excuse but when it comes to house training a dog, the carrot works way better than the stick. Not that a stick is ever required. A stern "No!" if you happen to catch them in the act is more than enough. Lots of praise when they potty outside works wonders too. It has never taken me longer than 3 days to house train an older puppy or adult dog.

MjC

Sat, Apr 3, 2010 : 12:05 p.m.

This is a young man who needs serious counseling. To have such a soul full of so much anger that explodes into harming a small defenseless animal saddens me greatly. Praise to the individual who reported this incident to the police so the dog could be rescued. They deserve a reward and I wish more people in this world had the guts to do the right thing.

jns131

Sat, Apr 3, 2010 : 10:14 a.m.

I totally agree with the writer, take a breather, take a walk and then consider this. He is going to prison for a min of 5 years. He is going to join the other person who did a bad deed to another dog and yes, the two are going to have fun running in prison. People like this give me chills. We have a rescue and yes, she has accidents in the house. But holy moley people, it is only learning. Remember this, they start with animals and work their way up to bigger stuff. This one has left me in tears. I would foster this dog if my lifestyle wasn't so chaotic. Blessings to the animal.

krc

Sat, Apr 3, 2010 : 10:05 a.m.

Mr. Vielmetti, I just wanted to tell you and all other contributors to AnnArbor.com that I so appreciate your efforts to keep the comments clean. No vulgarity, no name calling, no references to body parts or getting high. I've tried to read comments on other news blogs and can't get past the first one. Thanks!

RJA

Fri, Apr 2, 2010 : 10:46 p.m.

My dog's name is Shadow, and this breaks my heart. Get well and enjoy a new home with loving family.

ThaKillaBee

Fri, Apr 2, 2010 : 3:29 p.m.

@cinnabar7071 - but it IS your choice. vote. run for office. make noise until they change it, etc.

goodthoughts

Fri, Apr 2, 2010 : 3:09 p.m.

uawisok- took the words out of my mouth. This is why I love animals and can't stand many humans

Indicat

Fri, Apr 2, 2010 : 2:31 p.m.

This just makes me sick. I hope Shadow will be okay. And I hope the book is thrown at the alleged abuser if found guilty. Please keep us informed of the court case. Hopefully this person will draw the same judge as the individual who beat Brownie with a tire iron and left her to die.

Lisa

Fri, Apr 2, 2010 : 2:24 p.m.

Indeed, they did give money for the capital campaign for the construction of a new shelter. Would you rather they spent 1.6 million a year to provide the same services that HSHV does in a county-owned facility? Sure, you didn't choose that "donation", but you'd be paying a lot more if they hadn't made it. http://annarborchronicle.com/2010/03/22/dog-watch-humane-society-bond/

cinnabar7071

Fri, Apr 2, 2010 : 2:12 p.m.

Don't get me wrong it's a good cause, but it needs to be my choice.

cinnabar7071

Fri, Apr 2, 2010 : 2:11 p.m.

Lisa Washtenaw county gave HSHV like $1million last year.

Lisa

Fri, Apr 2, 2010 : 1:54 p.m.

@cinnabar7071 Actually, the only money HSHV receives from the county is in payment for providing stray hold services, as Washtenaw County has no animal control facilities of its own. Your tax dollars are going to animal control.

cinnabar7071

Fri, Apr 2, 2010 : 1:46 p.m.

"Please consider a donation to HSHV to help with his care at www.hshv.org." If you pay taxes in washtenaw county you've already have made a donation, it really sucks when the Gov't takes that choice away.

snoopjane

Fri, Apr 2, 2010 : 1:44 p.m.

so much for free speech in A2.com

ThaKillaBee

Fri, Apr 2, 2010 : 1:23 p.m.

@snoopjane - he's a staff member of the website where the story was posted. If you don't like it, start your own website.

Brenda

Fri, Apr 2, 2010 : 1:21 p.m.

Come on, there is no excuse to hit a dog with a hammer unless it is Cujo and is coming at you. I advocate tougher sentences on these cases.

snoopjane

Fri, Apr 2, 2010 : 1:13 p.m.

Mr. Vielmetti.... who are you to decide what "adds" to this conversation. I thought the whole idea of "commenting" was to express your opinion. Come on.....

djm12652

Fri, Apr 2, 2010 : 12:42 p.m.

@Mr. Velmetti...your condescension is showing...bet you won't post this either...

djm12652

Fri, Apr 2, 2010 : 12:39 p.m.

why was my remark never posted?

bs

Fri, Apr 2, 2010 : 12:24 p.m.

irony... "I'm upset about violence, so I advocate violence" just saying....

aminallover

Fri, Apr 2, 2010 : 12:16 p.m.

Thanks HSHV cruelty department for being there for the injured and abused. Donate to HSHV at www.hshv.org.

CountyKate

Fri, Apr 2, 2010 : 12:11 p.m.

Griffin, I have to second what Ypsidog said. There are a LOT of great people in Ypsilanti, so let's not make generalized statements about an entire town, okay? There are also a lot of great dog people, to judge from my neighborhood where people walk their dogs and pick up after them in a civilized manner. You'll have noted that someone called the police on this loser, which means that some other Ypsilanti resident has a heart and a brain. I do, however, want a moment with that hammer and the suspect, myself. This is beyond any known bounds.

snoopjane

Fri, Apr 2, 2010 : 11:57 a.m.

Its nice to know there are so many people out there who do care about this. And oh... by the way... Griffin... some from Ypsi too!

justaposter

Fri, Apr 2, 2010 : 11:52 a.m.

This is a very sad story. Luckily this dog is now getting care, and will hopefully never suffer again. Thanks to the person who called the police. Please consider a donation to HSHV to help with his care at www.hshv.org.

uawisok

Fri, Apr 2, 2010 : 11:22 a.m.

The more I read this kind of stuff the more I love my pets and despise humans!!

Blue Marker

Fri, Apr 2, 2010 : 11:05 a.m.

Tough to read stories like this. I just don't understand people like this and I don't want to. People who take out their frustrations on the trusting or weak have no place in society.

ypsilantimpr

Fri, Apr 2, 2010 : 10:54 a.m.

i would like to know how people get the idea that training a dog to only urinate and defecate outdoors is an explanation for physical attack. it's a pathetic excuse. violence is violence.