Man in Custody, Sheriff Swanson Addresses Viral Dog Shaking Incident [VIDEO]
UPDATE: The Genesee County Sheriff's Department has clarified that the video of a local dog groomer shaking a dog is about six months old. The sheriff says the man is remorseful for his actions. He released a Facebook video acknowledging that he is responsible for his action, saying he had to have 12 stitches because the owner would not him muzzle the animal.
“The owners sat in the car and told me to finish. Two minutes later I made the dog go home. They wouldn't let me muzzle it. I was upset. I'm usually known for dogs loving to come see me. I should not have even let it get that far. I made a mistake and apologize.”
End UPDATE.
Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson says one man has been detained after a video of a local dog groomer violently shaking a dog went viral.
The man's identity has not yet been revealed and there are few details available about the incident which started unfolding Monday (2/8) after the video surfaced.
In a Facebook Live video posted last night on the Genesee County Sheriff's Department's page, Swanson said investigators are looking into what he referred to as 'The Doodle Poodle Case' but did not say if the man has been charged or what charges he may be facing in the days to come.
"We just got the information about 2:30, 3:00 [Monday afternoon] and he was already in custody within about 45 minutes," Swanson said in a video which he shot in the parking lot of the Target store on Miller Road in Flint Township. "Just trust that the process has to go in place in order for us to meet the variables, to meet the crime. But the most important thing is to protect the animals, so rest assured that we're on it."
Swanson also noted that his department has checked on other dogs that may be in the man's care in order to ensure their wellbeing.
The sheriff said more details on the case would be released as they become available.
Swanson then reminded anyone who is caring for animals to be aware of the dangerously cold weather and to take precautions to make sure animals are kept safe.