DETROIT – A Detroit man is facing animal abuse charges after officers found his dog severely emaciated and in need of urgent medical attention, officials said.
Darnell Lamar Robinson, 54, has been charged with second-degree killing/torturing of animals, which carries a penalty of up to seven years in prison, and abandoning/cruelty to one animal, which is a 93-day misdemeanor, according to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office.
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At 11:20 a.m. on Jan. 30, 2026, officers responded to a home in the 19000 block of Eureka Street after receiving a report of a dog that was believed to be dead.
When they arrived, they found an emaciated dog that was still alive but needed immediate medical attention.
Detroit Animal Care and Control arrived at the scene, and the dog was taken to APAWS Emergency to be treated for hypothermia, dehydration and severe emaciation, officials said.
Robinson was arrested on Feb. 2 and is expected to be arraigned on Wednesday, Feb. 4.
“The alleged behavior in this case is deplorable,” said Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy. “Leaving a dog to starve and freeze in the cold is not only incredibly cruel, it is also a serious crime.”