A Detroit man is facing charges of animal cruelty after police found his dog abandoned in severe conditions. Darnell Lamar Robinson, 54, is charged with a felony count of second-degree killing/torturing of an animal and a misdemeanor count of abandoning/cruelty to an animal, as per CBS News Detroit.
On Friday, Detroit police responded to a call on the 19000 block of Eureka Street, reporting a dog believed to be dead. Officers found the dog alive but critically ill, suffering from dehydration, extreme emaciation, and hypothermia, according to ClickOnDetroit. Detroit Animal Care and Control took the dog to an emergency veterinary clinic for treatment.
After an investigation, Robinson was arrested on Monday. Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy condemned the situation, stating, "The alleged behavior in this case is deplorable. Leaving a dog to starve and freeze in the cold is not only incredibly cruel, it is also a serious crime," in a statement obtained by Audacy. Robinson's arraignment was scheduled for Wednesday.
If convicted of the felony charge, Robinson could face up to seven years in prison. There was no update on a dog's condition at the time of the reports. The case has highlighted issues of animal welfare and the legal obligations of pet owners to provide adequate care for their animals.
