A Detroit man implicated of beating a pitbull puppy in a video published to social networks has actually been arraigned on animal abuse charges, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said.
Lenard Maurice Shaw, 29, was arraigned Friday in 36th District Court in Detroit on a charge of second-degree animal killing/torturing, a 7-year felony, and a charge of abandoning/cruelty to an animal, a 93-day misdemeanor.
A magistrate set Shaw’s bond at $50,000 and scheduled his next court look, a bond redetermination hearing, for Monday. The court likewise scheduled a possible cause conference in his case for next Friday.
Authorities state Shaw recorded himself beating the pitbull puppy on March 1 after the dog broke a set of costly sunglasses. The occurrence presumably occurred at a home in the 7380 block of Mettetal near Warren Avenue and Greenfield Road on the city’s west side.
“I have actually seen cases in the past where somebody lost their life over a set of sunglasses,” Worthy said in a declaration Friday. “This is the very first one that I have actually come across where a totally unprotected dog was presumably and savagely beaten over a damaged set of sunglasses. It defies reasoning and basic humanness that anybody would believe this is appropriate. It is just not appropriate, however we declare that it was criminal.”
A video published on social networks by somebody linked to the man revealed him strongly attacking and shaking a dog, who was seen lying still, Detroit authorities Capt. Matthew Fulgenzi said at a press conference Tuesday.
“It’s extremely uncomfortable. It’s dreadful to see,” Fulgenzi said. “He took his anger out on this puppy in the video.”
Fulgenzi said the puppy had actually been left in its owner’s care. The puppy endured, Worthy’s release said.
On March 15, the suspect presumably positioned the dog in a trash bin beyond the residence, the Prosecutor’s Office said. “The supposed actions versus the accused are exceptionally troubling,” Worthy said Thursday. “This case will be prosecuted to the maximum level of the law.”
An examination by the Detroit Police Department and the Michigan Humane Society resulted in Shaw’s arrest on Tuesday.
Fulgenzi said the suspect has actually had previous encounters with police.
