STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. – A 31-year-old Sterling Heights man has been bound over on animal abuse charges after reportedly punching and killing his girlfriend’s dog.
According to authorities, Fouad Yosif Yaldo picked up his then-girlfriend’s 8-year-old Yorkie on Nov. 6 and struck him twice “with great force.” When the dog stopped moving, Yaldo reportedly carried him to his then-girlfriend.
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The dog, named Teddy, died in the girlfriend’s arms.
Yaldo was initially charged with third-degree killing/torturing an animal, but was bound over Thursday, May 21, on an escalated charge of second-degree killing/torturing an animal.
He remains lodged at the Macomb County Jail on a $75,000 bond. Yaldo is expected to be arraigned June 22.
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.