Latest news with #DetroitAnimalWelfareGroup
CBS News
28-04-2025
- CBS News
Detroit Animal Welfare Group director faces criminal charges over "friendly" fawns
Kelley Labonty, the director of Detroit Animal Welfare Group, is facing criminal charges over "friendly" fawns. The allegations are being made by conservation officers with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and it's caused a lot of controversy on social media. Labonty will face off against Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido in court on Tuesday. Labony says the Detroit Animal Welfare Group is a dream that became a reality for her several years ago. She says now it's being threatened. "We are putting hundreds of animals' lives at risk for a very frivolous case," Labonty said. Conservation officers with the DNR allege that the Detroit Animal Welfare Group had four habituated fawns in a field across from its farm in Romeo, Michigan. Labonty says that's not true. "They're normal, healthy fawns that were released from rehabilitation, and I haven't seen them. They're not on the property. They weren't even on our property. They were on a 500-acre open field across from us," Labonty said. Celeste Dunn, Labonty's attorney, says her client has spent tens of thousands of dollars on state-of-the-art facilities to prevent habituation, like bottle feeders, to avoid human interaction. "Every taxpayer should be outraged that this has continued to go on because of a personal vendetta against my client," Dunn said. "Looking at a video for a few minutes is not sufficient to determine if an animal is habituated." She says this all stems from a long history of animosity between the government agency and Labonty. "We obtained internal emails that then say, 'Let's go after her,'" Dunn said. Lucido has spoken out about the case. In a post on Facebook, he says, "It is important for the public to understand that the DNR brought this case to the Macomb County Prosecutor's Office (MCPO), and recommended prosecution for alleged violations of State law. This action was not initiated by my office." He claims the nonprofit is misleading the public with false information. "The MCPO is in the process of prosecuting the charges brought by the DNR as we are required to do by State law when dictated by evidence," the statement continues. "The MCPO is seeking to resolve this case and has given the individual charged with options that protect wildlife in an appropriate way. DAWG is completely wrong to claim that the MCPO is seeking to penalize anyone who is helping wildlife in a manner consistent with state law." A plea deal was offered, but Labonty says it could still lead to her wildlife permit being taken away. "He (Lucido) had the opportunity not to charge and chose not to," Labonty said. "Why would we take a plea deal when we did absolutely nothing wrong? These are criminal charges. We are not criminals." Labonty says if her permit is revoked, the animals in her care could be euthanized. "People are at my door, 24/7, in the middle of the night. I'm up feeding babies. People are dropping animals off. It's a huge service that we provide," Labonty said. "If, in fact, we were found guilty in a jury trial, that would give the DNR permission to come in and take all the animals in our care, all the wildlife in our care, and euthanize them." A preliminary hearing is scheduled at 9 a.m. Tuesday in Romeo.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Yahoo
Romeo puppy improving after allegedly dipped in boiling water by owner's daughter
The Brief A dog is recovering after suffering abuse allegedly by its owner's daughter. With 3rd degree burns over most of his body, Gideon had intense medical treatment. The group helping him recover is allowing visitors on Sunday to meet Gideon. MACOMB COUNTY, Mich. (FOX 2) - It's hard to believe that the spunky Jack Russell Terrier mix almost didn't survive one of the most unimaginable animal abuse cases in January after being dipped in boiling water, allegedly by the dog owner's daughter. What they're saying Kelly Lebonty, who is the director of Detroit Animal Welfare Group based in Romeo, took on the massive responsibility of rescuing this puppy from the Detroit home and, along with the vet and Gideon's foster family, has been providing constant care over the last 3 months. "I have been in anesthesia for 25 years, giving anesthesia to humans and taking care of animals for 13 years now, and he was in the most pain I have ever seen any living being." With 3rd degree burns over most of his body, Gideon had intense medical treatment which included fresh fish skin grafts, pain meds, creams, and daily bandage changes. "He was having nightmares and would wake himself up crying and fearful, and just didn't want to be touched by any humans. Even though he was a 3 or 4 month old puppy, he still knows," she said. Dig deeper Gideon has improved immensely, but Lebonty says he'll always have to deal with skin damage, limited mobility, and suffering physically and psychologically. Gideon had just recently turned the corner, playing with toys and humans. "There have been so many awesome people that have come together for Gideon from across the world," she said. So on Sunday, Gideon supporters will get to meet the courageous pup. DAWG, as the group is known, is hosting a fundraiser on Sunday at Bubbas in Macomb. Sadly, vet bills still need to be paid, and the fight to prioritize police investigations, prosecutions, and stronger sentences is far from over. What's next Ten weeks later, Lebonty says no one has been arrested for torturing and nearly killing little Gideon. In response, Prosecutor Worthy and her office say they are committed to this case, and it's still under investigation by Detroit police. They want those concerned about Gideon to know they have been working continuously on the case, and unlike TV crime shows, some cases take longer than others. What you can do For more information, you can check out the group's Facebook page by tapping here.
