LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Reports of animal cruelty have risen in Michigan with 123 incidents reported to the Michigan State Police (MSP) in 2016 and 607 of them in 2021 according to the 2021 Crime in Michigan Annual Report. That doesn’t account for all of the Michigan Animal Control Officers and Sheriff’s Departments who are receiving complaints.
The sad thing is that the MSP report lists “0” victims when there is actually at least one victim – the animal. However, these animals have often been overlooked over the years with a lack of seriousness to prosecute or even when they do, lenient deals are made with the alleged abuser.
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The COVID-19 pandemic sparked an increase of animal cruelty says Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido who talked with The Detroit News about the subject. He said that, like domestic violence cases which went underreported during the height of the pandemic, animals were stuck at home with their abusers. With the owners separated from seeing people who would be able to see and identify potential abuse, the abuse continues.
However, over the past year, animal cruelty reports have gone up and Michigan Humane’s CEO and President Matt Pepper says, “While the reported cases of cruelty toward animals have risen, we hope that is a reflection of people in our communities feeling empowered to report these instances to Michigan Humane and law enforcement.”
Attorney General Dana Nessel spoke up about animal cruelty last month when charges were filed against Julius Holley for breaking into his ex-girlfriend’s home, stealing her dog and sending her videos of him beating and torturing it. “Animal abuse is cruel and sadistic and it’s also a crime that’s often associated with other serious criminal activity including domestic violence and abuse.”
Under Michigan law, it’s a felony to intentionally kill or torture an animal or to commit an act knowing or having reason to know the act will cause an animal to be killed or tortured. There is also a new law from 2019 that ties animal cruelty to domestic abuse that says someone who tortures or kills a pet with intent to cause mental suffering or distress to a person, or to exert control over a person, is guilty of a felony and can go to prison for up to ten years.
The cold winter weather also brings out an increase in animal abuse and neglect cases with owners who do not have proper shelters for their animals, animals having no access to flowing water and also being left out in freezing temperatures.
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Animal Control Officers and police offers are able to use local and state laws to give pet owners citations, fees, warnings, and tickets but man try to establish relationships with pet owners with the hope to educate them about proper pet ownership so that the animals are taken care of and the officer doesn’t have to make a return trip.
However, Michigan has seen its share of animal cruelty cases over the past year with everything from dozens of abandoned cats being abandoned at a veterinary clinic in Traverse City to a dog having his throat slit in Lansing a few weeks ago.
Ingham County Animal Control Director Heidi Williams told WILX-TV10, “We’ve seen an increase in very violent crimes…including two dogs that were shot – executed essentially – by their owner.”
If you know or suspect that an animal is being neglected or abused, report it immediately by calling your local Animal Control Department or law enforcement.
