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Michigan state trooper charged with assault for dog attack

LANSING, Mich. – A Michigan State Police trooper has been charged with felonious assault in connection with a traffic stop in which he let his police dog attack a motorist despite no resistance, the agency said Friday. Parker Surbrook was charged following the Nov. 13 traffic stop in Lansing where a passenger was believed to be armed, state police said. Surbrook let his dog attack the driver “for an extended period of time,” police said. Surbrook joined the state police in 2012 and he became a canine handler in 2017. He's been removed from the canine unit and will remain on unpaid suspension while the criminal charge is pending, police said.

Missing puppy found alive in burned Macomb County apartment complex 2 weeks after fire

MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. – On Feb. 13, a massive fire destroyed the River North Village Apartment complex in Mount Clemens. Dino Rasera lost everything he owned in the fire. It wasn’t the material possessions he was worried about, it was his 1-year-old chihuahua puppy Marble -- who was nowhere to be found. And I never gave up after that.”Saturday, two weeks after the fire, a man was driving through the complex when he saw Marble on the top floor, peeking out through the wreckage. Despite having lost everything he’s ever owned, Rasera said he feels blessed.

Caught on Camera: Dog rescued after falling into open manhole in Dearborn Heights

DEARBORN HEIGHTS, Mich. – A dog is resting after being rescued from an open manhole. “The owner -- when we arrived on scene -- he was frantic, not being able to get to your dog, the owner broke down,” said Dearborn Heights Fire Marshal, Maxwell Mitts. The Dearborn Heights Fire Department knew it was a race against the clock to get the pup out, once they made it out to the scene. Not only was the owner happy --“The owner was ecstatic that we were able to rescue his dog,” said Mitts. Just a giant sigh of relief,” Marshal Mitts concluded.

Detroit Dog Rescue works to help pets outside in the cold, offers owners support

DETROIT – Saving dogs and helping dog owners is a big job for a little team with only two trucks but that isn’t slowing down Detroit Dog Rescue. The Local 4 Defenders went along with Detroit Dog Rescue to see exactly what they do. At another stop Detroit Dog Rescue gave out treats and food to dog owner Dwayne Stewart. Detroit Dog Rescue has been helping Detroit residents for 10 years. Click here to learn more about Detroit Dog Rescue.

Detroit police investigating murder of homeless man well-known for his dog

DETROIT – Police are investigating the death of a well-known homeless man in the Detroit area who was always seen with his dog. He was with his dog everyday and she was a service dog,” said Daphne Johnson. Johnson said she was used to seeing Jesse Eastwood and his dog, Baby Girl, in the Harbortown Market Plaza all the time. “Just really really sad that she stayed with him in the cold for two days,” Johnson said. But after Jesse’s body was taken away, Baby Girl wouldn’t eat and died shortly afterwards, never recovering from her injuries.

Detroit dog gets set of wheels to help her recover after being hit by car

DETROIT – Last month Detroit Animal Care and Control got a call about a puppy that was wedged underneath a car. They thought the dog may never walk again, but now they’re optimistic about the puppy making a full recovery because it has a new set of wheels. “She was unable to use her back legs and she was in quite a bit of pain,” Dr. Patricia Bigwood said. Detroit Animal Care and Control knew they needed to get the dog a set of wheels if she was ever going to move like a dog again. Nibbles is still going through her recovery process but she will be up for adoption over the next couple of months.

This restaurant’s mascot is almost as big a draw as their food

Plymouth – It’s Take-Out Tuesday when we feature restaurants that also offer to-go or curbside pick-up to help support traditionally dine-in restaurants during the pandemic. Today we dropped by a restaurant whose mascot is almost as big of an attraction as the food. Stella’s Black Dog Tavern in Downtown Plymouth is a popular place. Stella’s Black Dog Tavern offers a variety of tavern-style food as well as some upscale dishes. For more information watch the video above and check out Stella’s Black Dog Tavern at 860 Fralick St, in Plymouth.

Michigan dog who has a knack for finding lost money donates to Friends for Animals of Metro Detroit

BERKLEY, Mich. – A 15-year-old dachshund named Jake Truett who was born in Michigan is using his ability to sniff out cash to raise money for Friends for Animals of Metro Detroit. His family is donating Jake’s money, a $250.08 in total, to Friends for Animals of Metro Detroit. The gift is the first of the Jake Project. The Jake Project hopes to get at least 100 matching donations of $250.08. The Friends for Animals of Metro Detroit is working to raise the final $3.5 million to complete construction of its new intake facility.

Man, woman in custody after thousands view video of Eastpointe puppy abuse

EASTPOINTE, Mich. – A a man and a woman are in custody after thousands of people viewed a social media video of a puppy being abused, Eastpointe police said. Isaac Brooks Sanders and Kershanna Seaborn turned themselves in Wednesday on charges related to the video, authorities said. Isaac Brooks Sanders (WDIV)Kershanna Seaborn (WDIV)In the video, Sanders can be seen abusing a puppy while Seaborn watched, according to officials. On Thursday, Eastpoint detectives received a court order for the surrender of the puppy involved in the case, officials said. Police said the puppy will be held in a safe place until the case is over.

Dog killed, owner injured in attack by 2 other dogs in Roseville

ROSEVILLE, Mich. – A woman was injured and her 10-month-old dog killed after being attacked by two dogs in a Roseville neighborhood. Sometime after 6 p.m. on Monday, Mark Billings drove up Kathy Street in Roseville and turned left on Frazho Road, heading to a grocery store he frequently visits. Help my dog,’” Billings said. The woman suffered bites to her leg but is expected to OK. Another neighbor, as well as Billings, also suffered bites. They’re also expected to be OK. Billings already received a rabies shot but will have to get more until the dogs are found.

Troy family concerned after dog ingests rat poison

TROY, Mich. – A Troy family said ongoing construction in the area is bringing out rats. What is more concerning for them is when their dog became sick after ingesting rat poison. It’s a problem Sean and Gail Henning said they have been dealing with for some time now. They said a neighbor started putting out rat poison by their homes to get rid of the rodents. I went to go see what it was and it looked to me like it was rat poison pellet,” said Sean Henning.

Dog trapped in 30-foot hole lured to safety with beef jerky

In this photo provided by the Burke County Rescue Squad, a member of the Burke County Rescue Squad rescues a dog trapped 30 feet (9 meters) down in a sinkhole, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, at Pisgah National Forest in Morganton, N.C. The dog was not injured, but was starving and dehydrated, according to the rescuers. (Burke County Rescue Squad via AP)MORGANTON, N.C. – A group of mountain bikers on a North Carolina trail spotted a dog trapped 30 feet (9 meters) down in a sinkhole — and it took a salty snack and some straps to lift him to safety. The bikers called for help and led rescuers more than a mile to the stranded animal, where they repelled into the sinkhole, enticed the starving dog with some beef jerky and raised him to safety using a harness, the rescue squad said. The dog was not injured, but was starving and dehydrated, according to the rescuers.

How to pose your pooch for the perfect picture

To help us out with our pooch posing problems, we asked Christine OBrien, owner of Ruff Life Photography in Troy, to give us a few pointers. 1) Play with your camera settingsIf your camera has a flash, then turn it off. Just hold down the picture button and it should take a series of quick pictures, and hopefully, one captures that perfect pose. Dogs wont quite understand what you are doing when youre trying to take their picture. You can also just let the professionals do their job, and capture the charming wonderfulness that is your dog.

Dog food line recalled due to possible salmonella contamination

Sunshine Mills, Inc. has issued a recall of a dog food line due to potential salmonella contamination. Pet owners are asked to discontinue use of the recalled product and return any unused portion at the place of purchase for a full refund. Sunshine Mills says that there are currently no reports of illnesses or injuries related to the recalled product. Natures Menu Super Premium Dog Food with a Blend of Real Chicken & Quail has been recalled by Sunshine Mills on Aug. 24, 2020 due to a possible salmonella contamination. Photo provided by Sunshine Mills, Inc. (Sunshine Mills, Inc.)More News

Southgate police find severely malnourished dog inside home during simple property investigation

SOUTHGATE, Mich. Southgate police found a severely malnourished dog inside a home while they were doing a simple property crime investigation, officials said. Officers said the dog, named Otis, was rushed to an animal hospital. Southgate patrol Officer Morgan Parrish was responding to a breaking and entering call earlier this summer in a neighborhood. The homeowner was showing me some damages and stuff, and he had showed me a room that he had this dog in, Parrish said. His skin was, like, shedding off because he was so malnourished, Pappas said.

Michigan State Police welcomes its latest member -- LuLu the Labrador

CADILLAC, Mich. The Michigan State Police Cadillac Post welcomed its newest member to the team Friday. A female Labrador Retriever named LuLu recently graduated from canine school and is ready to serve. LuLu received specialized training and is a single purpose dog. She is from Hungary and received six weeks of specialized training tracking explosives, said LuLus handler, Trooper Unterbrink. Police use Labrador Retrievers while an event is taking place due to their friendly demeanor and ability to move through crowds with ease.

Couple reunited with puppies stolen at gunpoint in Novi

NOVI, Mich. – A couple has been reunited with a pair of English Bulldog puppies stolen from them Saturday. ORIGINAL STORY: Thieves hold family at gunpoint at Twelve Oaks Mall, steal puppiesThe two had arranged to sell the two puppies -- named Bunny and Gizmo -- in the Twelve Oaks Mall parking lot. They said two teenagers pulled out a gun and took off with the dogs. A man claiming to be an attorney contacted the couple Sunday and arranged to return the puppies. Novi police are investigating the theft.

Thieves hold family at gunpoint at Twelve Oaks Mall, steal puppies

NOVI, Mich. – A local family said the thieves were after their precious puppies who they were just trying to give a good home. Frank and Dezare, with Hooligan Bullies, said they were selling them to a father looking for two puppies for his teens. Both Frank and Dezare said they decided to meet the family at Twelve Oaks Mall in Novi in the parking lot Friday evening around 6 p.m. They showed the puppies to the family and that’s when things took a turn in the wrong direction. “I hear Dezare screams, as she scream, I turn around and look and I see the two teens, run away with my puppies.

Mountain rescuers heft ailing St. Bernard off English peak

Sixteen volunteers from Wasdale mountain rescue team take turns to carry 121lb (55kg) St Bernard dog, Daisy from England's highest peak, Scafell Pike, Sunday July 26, 2020. The Wasdale Mountain Rescue team rely on public contributions to their JustGiving.com/wasdalemrt page to fund their mountain safety efforts. Sixteen volunteers from the Wasdale mountain rescue team took turns carrying Daisy, a 121-pound (55 kilogram) St Bernard, from Englands highest peak, Scafell Pike. The mountain rescue team spent nearly five hours rescuing Daisy, who had collapsed Friday evening while descending the mountain with her owners. The Wasdale Mountain Rescue team relies on donations to fund their mountain safety efforts.

$3,000 reward offered for 12-year-old girls stolen puppy in Flat Rock

FLAT ROCK, Mich. Surveillance cameras captured a thief break into a Flat Rock business and steal a Bullmastiff puppy belonging to a 12-year-old girl. For the past three months, Leah Toth has been helping a breeder in Flat Rock with a new litter of puppies. She decided to keep Gus and Cali at her Tire Shop on Telegraph Road in Flat Rock, where she has several pet Bullmastiffs. Shes a part of our family, Toth said. We want her back.The Toth family got back Friday and were supposed to pick up Gus and Cali Saturday.

Empty the Shelters: Pet adoption fees reduced this weekend

BISSELL Pet Foundations (BPF) Empty the Shelters (ETS) event will take place July 10-12. More than 160 of BPFs shelter and rescue partners are participating in this reduced fee adoption event which will aim to find forever homes for thousands of cats and dogs. Nows the time to adopt a new best friend for $25 or less at one of the 40 locations across Michigan. BISSEL said since the program began in 2016, Empty the Shelters has found homes for 37,394 pets and counting. During the COVID-19 pandemic alone, 6,231 pets were adopted during two ETS events executed by appointment only, according to BISSEL.

Coast Guard rescues 5 people, dog from sinking boat in Lake Huron

BAY CITY, Mich. – Five people and a dog have been rescued from a sinking boat in Saginaw Bay. The 50-foot vessel was halfway submerged and one person wearing a life jacket was in the water when a Coast Guard rescue boat arrived after 11 a.m. Wednesday, the Coast Guard said Thursday in a release. A line was tossed to the person who was pulled aboard the Coast Guard Station Saginaw River rescue boat. The other four people and the dog were helped aboard the rescue boat from the sinking vessel. Salvage crews were working Thursday on a plan to remove the sinking boat from Saginaw Bay, according to the Coast Guard.

Womans dog dies minutes after receiving routine lyme disease vaccine at Brighton area vet

BRIGHTON, Mich. A Metro Detroit womans dog died minutes after receiving a routine vaccine thats very popular this time of year. Monica Morency Hanaway said her beloved boxer, Greg, died in her car last week, just minutes after leaving what was scheduled to be a routine visit to a veterinarian in the Brighton area. UPDATE -- June 29, 2020: Michigan coronavirus cases up to 63,497, Death toll now at 5,915The 6-year-old dog had never been to that vets office before, but he was in need of some routine vaccines. Hanaway said the lyme disease vaccine made her nervous because Greg had never received it before. Her vet sent her a note, explaining the vaccines that were given to her dog at the appointment.