A Sterling Heights man accused of punching a dog to death had his felony charge amended Thursday to second-degree animal torture/killing, the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office said.
The amended charge in 41A District Court means Fouad Yosif Yaldo faces up to seven years in prison. He previously was charged with a third-degree offense that had a four-year maximum sentence.
An arraignment is scheduled for June 22.
Yaldo’s attorney, Hillary Bahri, couldn’t be reached for comment Friday.
Authorities alleged that on Nov. 6, Yaldo picked up his then-girlfriend’s 8-year-old Yorkie, “Teddy,” and struck the canine at least twice.
Yaldo then carried the pet to her owner, who was in another room. Teddy died in her arms. His actions were caught on video, prosecutors said in a release.
At Yaldo’s preliminary exam Thursday, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Justin Pollard argued that the charge be escalated to a second-degree felony. Judge Annemarie Lepore agreed to the change.
Yaldo is in the Macomb County Jail. If released on a $75,000 bond, the 31-year-old will be required to wear a steel-cuff tether and will be prohibited from having contact with animals.
laguilar@detroitnews.com
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Harsher charge for Sterling Heights man in dog’s punching death
Reporting by Louis Aguilar, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
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