A viral social video that started circulating on Sunday has a Warren pet sitter under fire after footage appears to show her slapping and kicking a dog in her care. The six-year-old pit bull, Frankie, was recorded by a neighbor who later called police, and the dog's owner says she was alerted while on vacation and cut her trip short. The clip has sparked outrage across the neighborhood and drawn calls from animal advocates for criminal charges. Frankie is now back with family while investigators review the footage.
The video shows a woman striking and kicking Frankie, who then lunges and nips at her as she handles him. The dog's owner, Bobbie Brody, told reporters she found the sitter through Rover.com and that a family member has since picked Frankie up. Brody said she is cutting her vacation short and is prepared to take legal action, adding that the sitter had called to report a bite but left out key details about what happened. A neighbor who filmed the encounter turned the footage over to police, according to WXYZ.
Warren police open probe
Warren police confirmed the matter is under active investigation. "There's a lot of community concern and we have some concerns too about seeing the video, so it is under active police investigation," Lt. John Gajewski said. Animal-welfare volunteers are weighing in as well. Chantal Rzewnicki of local rescue group The KARENS has called for criminal charges, saying, "The dog didn't deserve that." The investigation and community response were reported by WXYZ.
What Michigan law allows and how prosecutors have acted locally
Michigan's penal code makes neglect and intentional harm to animals criminal offenses, and the state's duty-to-care rules are set out in MCL 750.50. The intentional-infliction provision (MCL 750.50b) is treated as a felony when prosecutors allege deliberate torture or maiming, legal summaries say. Local precedent shows Macomb-area prosecutors do pursue serious animal-cruelty charges: in March, a St. Clair Shores man was charged with animal torture, a third-degree felony that county officials said carries a possible sentence of up to four years. Those statutes are summarized by the Animal Legal & Historical Center, and the local case was reported by CBS Detroit.
The Warren Police Department says the probe remains active but has not given a timeline for possible charging decisions. Frankie is staying in family care as investigators gather statements and evidence. Community groups and local advocates say they plan to keep pressing for accountability while prosecutors review the case.
