A man from Grand Rapids, Michigan, was arrested after he repeatedly punched a dog outside his workplace. 25-year-old Jon Wilcox was caught on video yelling at the Golden Retriever while he motioned for the dog to come over.
When the dog approached Wilcox, he began repeatedly striking the poor pup before he carried him away. The good news is that the dog, named Higgins, is safe.
Higgins Has A Bright Future, But Wilcox, On The Other Hand…
Sweet Higgins was picked up by Kent County Animal Control and taken to safety. Higgins’ condition hasn’t been made public. He will remain in the care of the county shelter until the case has been completed in the court system. Higgins will hopefully then find his furever family where he will know nothing but love and kindness.
Wilcox, on the other hand, isn’t getting the kind of love and affection that Higgins is getting. The alleged perpetrator was charged with a misdemeanor that could earn him up to 93 days in jail, a $1,000 fine, and 200 hours of community service. We hope that whatever the punishment, justice is served for innocent little Higgins, who wanted nothing but love and affection.
According to WoodTV, Wilcox’s employer, Fide Freight, released a statement:
“Fide doesn’t stand by this behavior and has since released this employee. … Fide very much loves our furry community in the office and provides our critters with their own beds, treats and love from our employees daily… We have also committed to donating to a few local shelters in the Grand Rapids area. We understand this doesn’t make a difference to the situation that took place, but we hope to support the shelters that support the animals in need.”
The Uptick In Animal Cruelty Is Explained
Andy Seltz leads cruelty and neglect investigations throughout the Detroit area. He says that while there appears to be a recent increase in animal cruelty, it probably isn’t really an increase at all. Sadly, the pandemic has sent many people indoors over the past 18 months for much more time than they would normally spend. As things continue trending back to normal in terms of the pandemic, many people have begun going out and about. It’s this transition back to everyday daily life that has enabled people to see more instances of cruelty and abuse.
If you suspect a dog – or any animal – is being neglected or abused, please reach out to your local authorities and be their voice. Dogs give us their unwavering devotion and love, and it’s our obligation to make sure they’re given the same in return.
You can watch the heartbreaking video here.
h/t: woodtv.com