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Dogs kicked, beaten with chains
White Cloud, MI (US)Incident Date: Wednesday, Mar 26, 2008
County: Newaygo
Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Convicted
Case Images: 1 files available
Defendant/Suspect: William Reed
Case Updates: 2 update(s) available
A 46-year-old White Cloud man was arraigned Thursday on two counts of animal cruelty that police say was caught on videotape by a neighbor.
"Our officers are sickened by the brutality of this case," Newaygo County Under Sheriff Brian Boyd said. "It's one of the worst cases of animal abuse our department has ever investigated."
The videotape shows William Reed, 47, strangling, kicking and throwing his dogs, as well as beating them with a chain, according to Chief Animal Control Officer Arlene Sterling.
"These animals were enduring devastating emotional abuse that we believe was occurring on a daily basis," Sterling said. "Physically, they'll be OK. Emotionally, I'm afraid they will be scarred for life."
Three dogs less than 2-years old were removed from the residence on Wednesday [March 26, 2008], when Reed was arrested. They include "Yellow," a yellow Labrador, "Stormy," a chow-Lab mix, and a beagle mix whose name officers never learned, Sterling said.
A neighbor of Reed's said the larger dogs were kept chained outside his mobile home and "barked all the time."
The dogs were treated by a local veterinarian and released to the Newaygo County Animal Shelter in White Cloud, where officers and volunteers are working with them to try to restore their confidence in people.
"They cower absolutely," Sterling said. "Whenever a person comes near, it's hard to get them off the floor."
Case UpdatesWilliam Reed pleaded "no contest" in April to two animal cruelty charges.
He was sentenced this morning and will spend a total of 93 days in jail on both counts of animal abuse. Reed will also pay $527 dollars in fines and costs. He also cannot possess or own an animal for one year.
Judge Kevin Drake said to Reed today in court, "There wasn't a whole lot of remorse for your behavior. I'm not sure if you understand what you did was wrong. But it was wrong, and it is unacceptable."
Investigators arrested him after a neighbor shot video appearing to show Reed beating his dogs with a chain and a shovel.
The video was so disturbing the Newaygo County Undersheriff called it one of the worst animal cruelty cases he'd seen. | Source: WZZM News - May 28, 2008
Update posted on May 28, 2008 - 3:07PM |
A man accused of beating his dogs with a chain and shovel pleaded no contest today to charges of animal abandoning and cruelty. The charges are misdemeanors, but could land William Reed in jail for 93 days. He will be sentenced on May 28th.
Reed, of White Cloud, was arrested in March after animal control received a complaint of animal cruelty from a neighbor. Three dogs were removed from his home.
The neighbor shot video that appears to show Reed beating his dogs with a chain and hitting them with a shovel. | Source: WZZM - April 30, 2008
Update posted on Apr 30, 2008 - 9:38PM |
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