TAYLOR, Mich. – Five dogs were taken from a home in Taylor Wednesday night after a videotaped beating was posted on social media.
Neighbors who witnessed the beating said they videotaped it to protect the dogs after years of complaints that went unanswered.
The video shows a young woman beating several dogs with a branch in a backyard.
Ryean Ray, of Taylor, said when they’ve called animal control in the past, nothing was done because the dogs were hidden from investigators and there was no proof.
The Rays are animal lovers with two dogs and a bird. Over the past two years, they've worried about the welfare of their neighbor's dogs.
“I believe this was just a situation that is getting blown out of hand,” said Josh Crain, the step-father of the girl.
Crain said the girl is 13, deaf and mentally disabled.
“If people want to consider that as her being cruel, she doesn’t really understand,” Crain said.
The child will not be charged.
The dogs were removed from the home and the girl’s mother, 38-year-old Laurie Schilling was arrested because of wounds on the dogs.
Police say it was her responsibility to protect the dogs from harm.