Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido has announced that, after a preliminary exam, a district court judge dismissed the felony charge of animal torture against 27-year-old Bradley Allen of Sterling Heights.
Lucido said his office did not offer or give Allen a plea deal or agree to dismiss any charges against him.
It was alleged that last February, Allen struck a dog with a leash three times and hit the dog in its face approximately six times.
The incident was captured on video.
A preliminary exam was held Oct. 8 for Allen before Judge Eric Shepherd of the 41A District Court in Sterling Heights,
After viewing the video evidence, Shepherd ruled that the evidence was insufficient to bind Allen over on the felony charge of Animals – Killing/Torturing – Third Degree, a 4-year felony. Judge Shepherd then dismissed the felony count.
At the conclusion of the hearing, Allen tendered a plea of No Contest to the remaining charge of Animals – Abandoning/Cruelty to One Animal, a 93-day misdemeanor.
“It is heart-wrenching to see an animal be injured or abused in any way,” Lucido said. “In this case, the judge did not bind the defendant over to the circuit court to stand trial on the felony charge. The judge dismissed the charge, not my office. It is my policy that we do not make plea agreements in cases related to animal abuse.”
The prosecutor’s office filed a civil forfeiture action against Allen for both of his dogs, Winnie, and Kilo.
The court ordered Allen to forfeit both dogs. They were surrendered to Sterling Heights Police Animal Control and were adopted.
Allen is scheduled to be sentenced by Shepherd on November 23.
Lucido said his office did not offer or give Allen a plea deal or agree to dismiss any charges against him.
It was alleged that last February, Allen struck a dog with a leash three times and hit the dog in its face approximately six times.
The incident was captured on video.
A preliminary exam was held Oct. 8 for Allen before Judge Eric Shepherd of the 41A District Court in Sterling Heights,
After viewing the video evidence, Shepherd ruled that the evidence was insufficient to bind Allen over on the felony charge of Animals – Killing/Torturing – Third Degree, a 4-year felony. Judge Shepherd then dismissed the felony count.
At the conclusion of the hearing, Allen tendered a plea of No Contest to the remaining charge of Animals – Abandoning/Cruelty to One Animal, a 93-day misdemeanor.
“It is heart-wrenching to see an animal be injured or abused in any way,” Lucido said. “In this case, the judge did not bind the defendant over to the circuit court to stand trial on the felony charge. The judge dismissed the charge, not my office. It is my policy that we do not make plea agreements in cases related to animal abuse.”
The prosecutor’s office filed a civil forfeiture action against Allen for both of his dogs, Winnie, and Kilo.
The court ordered Allen to forfeit both dogs. They were surrendered to Sterling Heights Police Animal Control and were adopted.
Allen is scheduled to be sentenced by Shepherd on November 23.
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