A St. Clair Shores man accused of slamming a dog to the ground, kicking it, and strangling it with its leash has been charged, officials said.
Michael Sikorski, 28, was arraigned Monday in 40th District Court in St. Clair Shores, according to the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office.
Sikorski is charged with third-degree animal torture, officials said.
“As prosecutors, we have a duty to protect the most vulnerable members of our communities, including the animals who depend on us for their safety and care,” Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido said in a statement. “Acts of cruelty toward pets are not minor offenses; they are serious violations of the law and of our shared moral responsibility. Animal abuse will never be tolerated, and our office will pursue accountability for those who harm the animals entrusted to human care.”
A judge set the defendant’s bond at $25,000 and scheduled his next court hearing for next Tuesday.
If convicted, he faces up to four years in prison.
Court records did not list an attorney for Sikorski on Tuesday.
Authorities allege that the defendant slammed his dog, named Steel, onto the ground on Sunday. They said he allegedly kicked the dog several times, lifted it by its leash and strangled it, before slamming the dog onto the ground again.
Officials said they believe Steel was not permanently injured.
Sikorski is among the latest Michigan residents to be accused of torturing an animal.
Last week, an Eastpointe woman was ordered to stand trial for allegedly kicking her mother’s small dog and causing it to lose an eye.
Earlier this month, a Sterling Heights man accused of beating and striking a dog in February was charged. He allegedly struck the dog with a leash three times and hit the animal in its face six times.
Also this month, a Detroit man was charged for abandoning his two pet dogs, one of which froze to death in the recent harsh winter weather.
cramirez@detroitnews.com
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This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: St. Clair Shores man accused of slamming dog onto ground charged
Reporting by Charles E. Ramirez, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
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