A 48-year-old Richmond Township man has been arrested in connection with the death of a family pet.
The suspect allegedly choked and killed his father’s Labrador retriever and then made threats to harm himself.
Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to a residence on Prinz Road on Tuesday at approximately 5:25 p.m. for a report of a deceased family pet and possible threat to a family member. The caller was concerned for the welfare of the suspect and the suspect’s father, according to a press release from the MCSO.
The suspect was reportedly home alone with the dog and when his father returned to the home, he found the suspect with his arms around the animal and was unable to remove them. The suspect then made threats to himself.
MCSO deputies reported that the suspect was “uncooperative” and was taken into custody.
The unidentified defendant is scheduled to be arraigned Jan. 17 and charged with one felony count of third-degree animal killing/torture, a four-year felony.
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