DETROIT – A 36-year-old man is facing animal cruelty charges after reportedly abandoning his two pet dogs, leading to one freezing to death.
According to authorities, officers with the Detroit Police Department and Animal Care and Control received a tip on Feb. 1 about two neglected dogs at a home on Garland Street, just south of Mack Avenue.
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Police said they found one dead dog and one living dog. Both animals were described as malnourished and emaciated.
The living dog was taken to an animal hospital for treatment.
Christopher Alan Draughan was arrested Monday, March 2. He was charged on Thursday, March 5 with two counts of second-degree killing/torturing an animal, felon in possession of a firearm, felony firearm, abandoning cruelty to one animal causing death and abandoning cruelty to one animal.
Draughan was given a $20,000 bond and has a probable cause conference scheduled for March 12.
In Michigan, it is a felony to intentionally kill or torture an animal. Penalties for torturing or killing an animal can vary in severity in Michigan and can be impacted by many factors, including whether the animal is a pet or a companion animal. Someone convicted of animal cruelty as a form of domestic violence can face up to 10 years in prison.