10/18/2022
🚨🚨UPDATE 🚨🚨
Dr Wayne Gilchrist was only charged with one count of animal cruelty which is a MISDEMEANOR!
He is not facing any further charges or jail time.
I’m absolutely appalled.
Please, please share. We need to fight now.
Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office Charges Macomb County Veterinarian with Animal Cruelty
Mt. Clemens, MI - The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office today authorized a complaint for a Macomb County veterinarian on one count of animal cruelty.
Last week the Prosecutor’s Office reviewed a warrant request that included a video posted on social media depicting alleged mistreatment of a dog in Ray Township around Oct. 9. The action allegedly occurred at the veterinarian’s private home. The phone that allegedly recorded the incident was collected as evidence by the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office, but deputies have not yet been able to retrieve its contents. Macomb County Animal Control has examined the dog and determined it was not injured. It was also discovered that the dog in question bit a juvenile and a puppy in the home.
Prior to all evidence being secured and charges being authorized some Macomb County officials held a Wednesday news conference outside of the county Animal Shelter demanding charges. The video of the alleged incident was removed from YouTube the same day. The Prosecutor’s Office has a copy of the YouTube video, but early press statements made before it is retrieved from the cell phone may now raise evidentiary challenges.
“I ask that everyone please refrain from holding press conferences and making statements about evolving cases until all of the evidence is secured,” said Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido. “We take these allegations very seriously and do not condone the mistreatment of animals in any regard.”
The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office reviewed all the information provided and conferred with veterinary experts. A misdemeanor charge of Animals - Abandoning / Cruelty to One Animal was authorized. It is punishable by 93 Days, $1,000.00, up to 200 hours of community service, or any combination of penalties pursuant to MCL 750.50(4)(a). The Macomb County Sheriff’s Office did not expressly request a felony on the Request for Warrant Authorization.
Lucido said he would welcome improvements to Michigan’s animal cruelty statute, which currently only offers limited options to prosecutors for this set of facts.
All that are accused of a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
