Detroit man charged with torturing ex-girlfriend's Yorkie
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Lil Baby, a Yorkshire terrier mix, is alive and being treated for injuries after authorities say a 55-year-old Detroit man tortured it to abuse and harass its owner, his former girlfriend.
In a case that highlights Attorney General Dana Nessel's commitment to prosecute animal abuse, an arrest warrant was signed for Julius Holley, who is accused of breaking into his ex's home, abducting her dog, as well as stealing other things, and then sending her photos and videos of the small pet being beaten with a fireplace poker.
Later, authorities and news reports said, Holley left Lil Baby in a bucket next to a house.
The animal, they added, was picked up by Michigan Humane and is safe.
Authorities signed an arrest warrant for Holley on Friday, charging him with three felonies: one count of second-degree home invasion, punishable by up to 15 years in prison, one count of first-degree animal torture, and one count of larceny. He also was charged with stalking, a misdemeanor.
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Nessel, who is running for reelection and has been an advocate of protections for pets, recorded a two-minute YouTube video announcing the arrest. In it, she said that animal abuse is "cruel and sadistic" but also associated with other crimes against people, including domestic violence and abuse.
"Victims of domestic violence are often reluctant to leave a dangerous situation for fear of having to leave their pets behind," Nessel said, adding that, according to the National Collation Against of Domestic Violence, 71% of pet owners entering domestic violence shelters report that "their batterer had threatened, injured or killed family pets."
Last month, the attorney general announced a partnership with Michigan Humane to investigate and prosecute cases of animal abuse, including a crackdown on dog fighting rings.
During the pandemic, she also has sought to stop puppy scams following a surge of internet scam complaints.
Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 or fwitsil@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Julius Holley charged with torturing ex-girlfriend's dog
