DETROIT (WWJ) -- A Detroit man is facing criminal charges after his pet dog was found barely alive, starving and suffering out in the cold, according to authorities.
Darnell Lamar Robinson, 54, was arraigned in 36th District Court on Wednesday on one count of Animals – Killing/Torturing – Second Degree, which carries a maximum penalty of seven years in prison. He's also charged with Abandoning/Cruelty to One Animal, which is a 93-day misdemeanor.
According to the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office, the investigation began at around 11:20 a.m. last Friday, when Detroit Police got a call about a dog believed to be dead outside a home on Eureka Street.
When officers arrived, the found that the "emaciated" and "neglected" dog was still alive and in need of urgent medical care.
Detroit Animal Care and Control and was called to the scene, and the dog was taken to APAWS Emergency Veterinary Hospital for treatment for hypothermia, dehydration, and severe emaciation.
Robinson was arrested on Monday, following a Detroit Police investigation.
"The alleged behavior in this case is deplorable. Leaving a dog to starve and freeze in the cold is not only incredibly cruel, it is also a serious crime," said Prosecutor Kym Worthy, in a statement.
Robinson received a $20,000 personal bond, and a probable cause conference in the case was scheduled for Feb. 13.
There was no update on the dog's condition as of Wednesday.
