A small dog in Eastpointe lost an eye after the owner's 19-year-old daughter allegedly kicked it in the face, according to police. Around 6 p.m., the dog's owner walked into the Eastpointe police station lobby to report the injury, and officers took the suspect into custody. An emergency veterinarian told investigators the dog suffered head trauma so severe that the eye popped out of its socket, and surgeons later removed the damaged eye. The case has been forwarded to the Macomb County prosecutor's office for possible charges.
According to The Detroit News, the dog is a 3-year-old shih-poo, and Eastpointe's Animal Control division issued a statement saying "animal cruelty will not be tolerated in Eastpointe!" The outlet reports police booked the woman and are preparing the file for review by prosecutors.
What charges could follow
Michigan law makes the intentional killing, torturing, maiming or disfiguring of an animal a felony under MCL 750.50b, and that provision can carry prison time and fines, according to the Animal Legal & Historical Center. Courts may also order defendants to pay veterinary costs and bar them from owning animals, but prosecutors decide whether the evidence supports felony or misdemeanor charges in any particular case.
Investigation and medical update
Eastpointe police told investigators the dog's eye "popped out of the socket" after the alleged kick and that emergency surgery was performed to remove it, The Detroit News reports. Animal control officers are handling the case while detectives collect statements and veterinary records before the Macomb County prosecutor reviews potential charges.
How to follow the case
The Eastpointe Animal Control division lists shelter and contact information on the city's public safety pages, including the shelter at 17800 E. 10 Mile Rd and the department's animal control line, per Eastpointe. Anyone with information about the incident can contact Eastpointe police as the prosecutor determines how to proceed.
