Latest news with #DAWG
Daily Mail
28-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Fury as severely-burned puppy named Gideon is nearly left for dead... and no one will be charged
A severely-burned Jack Russell Terrier puppy named Gideon captured hearts worldwide - but despite his agony, prosecutors won't press charges. The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office in Michigan announced Friday that no one will be held responsible for the horrific injuries suffered by Gideon, who was allegedly placed into a tub of scalding water in a Detroit home during a heated family argument. 'I'm so upset,' Kelly LaBonty, Director of the Detroit Animal Welfare Group (DAWG) told Click on Detroit. 'How can you not prosecute that? How can you not? I just can't even believe it.' The case has drawn international attention and inspired widespread protests. But prosecutors now say the evidence does not support charges that could hold up in court. The disturbing incident began in the early hours of January 12, when a 19-year-old woman called 911 to report that her mother was drunk and antagonizing her at their home on Maddelien Street in Detroit. Officers arrived and made the mother leave, sending her across the street to stay with her son. But just hours later, the mother called 911 to report that her puppy - later identified as Gideon - had been badly burned. She initially said she didn't witness what happened, but minutes later called again and claimed her daughter had thrown the dog into hot water. 'This is a dangerous person that's out here - someone who can do that to an animal,' LaBonty said. 'They need to be behind bars.' By the time police arrived back at the home, Gideon was in visible distress, suffering from burns on his legs and face. Officers noted that the mother had not directly witnessed the incident. The 19-year-old daughter claimed Gideon had jumped into a bath she'd run earlier. Her boyfriend, who had been upstairs at the time, confirmed they heard the dog scream and then pulled him from the water. A 13-year-old sister also said she'd heard Gideon crying and saw him burned - but told officers the puppy was too small to jump into the tub on his own. According to court documents, a veterinary expert later examined Gideon and determined the burn pattern did not match a dog jumping into a tub. Instead, the injuries suggested Gideon had been placed hind legs first into the scalding water, then remained there for several seconds - or even minutes. Gideon was treated at a veterinary hospital for 10 days, then transferred to a foster home where he continued outpatient care. His injuries were extensive: third-degree burns, necrotic skin, bacterial infections, weight loss, refusal to walk, and extreme pain. Still, prosecutors say they can't determine beyond a reasonable doubt who hurt him. 'People are correct about this: Gideon… suffered horrific abuse,' said Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy in a lengthy statement. 'But in every crime, we must be able to prove WHO did it. We are not able to do that in this case.' The decision not to prosecute has enraged DAWG and animal lovers around the world, many of whom have followed Gideon's recovery closely. His story has spread as far as the UK, Australia, and Africa. 'There's a police report with the mother stating what happened,' said LaBonty. 'There's evidence. I just don't understand. This is why it happens all the time.' More than 1,500 people showed up to meet Gideon at a restaurant fundraiser. Others have sent gifts and letters from across the U.S., including Tennessee, Illinois, and Pennsylvania. Online posts have flooded the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office with demands for justice. But Worthy stood by the decision. 'We must charge what we can prove,' she said. 'We must be able to prove who did this horrible injustice, and we cannot do that in this case.' The investigation, which began in late February and continued through early June, included interviews with multiple family members. Prosecutors say inconsistencies and the family's shared living arrangements raised concerns of a coordinated story. Key witnesses, including a younger sibling, were never made available for forensic interviews. 'Some think we should've just rounded up everyone in the house and charged them all,' Worthy said. 'We are certainly not going to arrest and charge everyone that we think are responsible - that must be backed up by evidence.' Despite the disappointment, LaBonty and DAWG vow to continue fighting for animal abuse victims like Gideon. 'I hope we obviously get prosecution for Gideon and not just a slap on the wrist,' she said earlier in the investigation. 'We have to be the voice for all the animals. It's not just Gideon. Gideon's just a small part of the story.' For now, the case is closed - but the outrage isn't. 'This is serious,' LaBonty said. 'And the system failed him.'
Newsweek
24-04-2025
- Newsweek
Heartbreak as Woman Caught on Camera Dumping 4 Small Dogs Outside Shelter
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A troubling incident unfolded outside a Texas shelter last Saturday when four dogs were abandoned on the property—three left inside the fenced yard, and one outside near a busy highway. The Denison Animal Welfare Group (DAWG) shelter captured the moment on a security camera and the footage has since been shared on social media. The video revealed a woman arriving in a silver Jeep and releasing the dogs without seeking assistance, despite the shelter's open bay doors and visible staff presence. Stephanie Phillips, president of DAWG, told Newsweek: "The shelter is an old fire station, so we have extra large bay doors that were open, and staff was present. She did not attempt to ask for assistance." "When we saw the camera footage, we came out and collected the animals. One had immediately gotten loose next to a busy highway, and staff members laid down in the driveway to catch her," she explained. Pictures from the video of the moment the dogs were abandoned outside the Texas shelter. Pictures from the video of the moment the dogs were abandoned outside the Texas shelter. The Denison Animal Welfare Group DAWG Following the incident, the woman later identified herself and left a voicemail admitting to the abandonment. Phillips contacted her, and she agreed to sign owner surrender forms and provide information about the dogs. "The dogs range in age from 1 year old to 6, and they were in general good health," Phillips said. "They have some minor medical issues that need to be addressed, and once those are taken care of, they will be spayed and neutered and offered for adoption." No criminal charges will be filed. Denison Animal Services Officers identified the woman, but the shelter chose not to pursue legal action, citing the best interests of the animals involved. Despite this, the shelter shared the video on Facebook to raise awareness and remind people that it is important to surrender animals through the proper channels. "Our staff was present, and the garage door was open, making this act unnecessary," they said on Facebook. Since the post, the shelter has closed the comments to prevent "rude" and "hateful" comments, but hope that the story will serve as a warning for people who may be thinking about surrendering an animal. In the first half of 2024, 3,118,000 animals entered U.S. shelters, including 1,533,000 dogs and 1,565,000 cats. Shelters often share stories of abandonments where previous pet owners have dumped animals without speaking to shelter workers, who iterate the importance of giving information when handing over animals. Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Yahoo
Romeo puppy improving after allegedly dipped in boiling water by owner's daughter
The Brief A dog is recovering after suffering abuse allegedly by its owner's daughter. With 3rd degree burns over most of his body, Gideon had intense medical treatment. The group helping him recover is allowing visitors on Sunday to meet Gideon. MACOMB COUNTY, Mich. (FOX 2) - It's hard to believe that the spunky Jack Russell Terrier mix almost didn't survive one of the most unimaginable animal abuse cases in January after being dipped in boiling water, allegedly by the dog owner's daughter. What they're saying Kelly Lebonty, who is the director of Detroit Animal Welfare Group based in Romeo, took on the massive responsibility of rescuing this puppy from the Detroit home and, along with the vet and Gideon's foster family, has been providing constant care over the last 3 months. "I have been in anesthesia for 25 years, giving anesthesia to humans and taking care of animals for 13 years now, and he was in the most pain I have ever seen any living being." With 3rd degree burns over most of his body, Gideon had intense medical treatment which included fresh fish skin grafts, pain meds, creams, and daily bandage changes. "He was having nightmares and would wake himself up crying and fearful, and just didn't want to be touched by any humans. Even though he was a 3 or 4 month old puppy, he still knows," she said. Dig deeper Gideon has improved immensely, but Lebonty says he'll always have to deal with skin damage, limited mobility, and suffering physically and psychologically. Gideon had just recently turned the corner, playing with toys and humans. "There have been so many awesome people that have come together for Gideon from across the world," she said. So on Sunday, Gideon supporters will get to meet the courageous pup. DAWG, as the group is known, is hosting a fundraiser on Sunday at Bubbas in Macomb. Sadly, vet bills still need to be paid, and the fight to prioritize police investigations, prosecutions, and stronger sentences is far from over. What's next Ten weeks later, Lebonty says no one has been arrested for torturing and nearly killing little Gideon. In response, Prosecutor Worthy and her office say they are committed to this case, and it's still under investigation by Detroit police. They want those concerned about Gideon to know they have been working continuously on the case, and unlike TV crime shows, some cases take longer than others. What you can do For more information, you can check out the group's Facebook page by tapping here.
