Michigan Veterinarian Found Guilty of Stealing Homeless Man’s Dog
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – โ A โKent โคCounty jury delivered a guilty verdict Friday inโค the case of a veterinarian accused of taking a dog โfrom its โowner, a homeless man. dr. Hergenreder faces up to 93 โคdays in jail and a $500 fine after being convicted of โlarceny, despite arguments โคcentering on the dog’s welfare. Sentencing is scheduled for Novemberโข 7.
The case sparked debate over the line between legal actionโฃ and moralโ obligation, with the prosecution arguing the defendant unlawfully took someone else’s property. Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Nicole Sorci โemphasized the simplicity of the case to the โขjury. “This is a simple case of larceny. The defendant tookโค someone else’sโค property,” Sorci โstated.
Sorci further arguedโ that Hergenreder’s own statements during a phone call toโ police – expressing worry about getting into trouble – betrayed her guilt. A juror was observed taking notes during โฃthe playback of the call. The prosecutor also characterized theโ veterinarian as having a “martyr complex.”
The alleged โvictim, โidentified as Hamilton, testified on the second day of the trial. He described โproviding โขfor his dog,โ Vinny, sharingโข his โown food, frequently enough fast food, with the animal โฃandโค insisting,โ “I never not fed my dog. My dog got fed more than I did.” โHe โขalso โคstated Vinny last saw aโ veterinarian five years prior for an ear infection. Hamilton appeared visibly distressed while testifying,โฃ described as whimpering softly and covering his mouth with his hand.
The defense pointed to Hamilton’s initial absence from the trial. The six-person jury deliberated forโ just 45 minutes โbefore reaching a verdict.
Following the trial, a juror, speaking anonymously, echoed the prosecution’s argument that Hergenreder had alternative options to ensure the dog’s well-being. The juror expressed sadness that Hamilton wasโ unable to see Vinny during theโ animal’s โfinal months. “It was sad,” the juror said. “It wasn’t the right โคthing to do. You don’t take somebody’s dog.”
Hamilton stated he was devastated by Vinny’s disappearance and continues to feel theโ loss. “I never felt the same,” heโ said. “He โwas a part of me.”
