A veterinarian was reportedly charged with stealing a homeless man’s dog — but she claims she was rescuing the animal.
Hergenreder then cut the dog’s tether and examined him. She noted that the dog was acting like he had “no energy” and was “very lethargic,” so she took him to her clinic where she claimed she performed $3,000 worth of surgery on the pet to clear up a severe urinary tract infection and remove a rotten tooth he had, before taking the dog home with her.
Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up forPEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletterfor breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.
“I just want my dog back,” Hamilton told the outlet. “I had my dog 15 years. Never neglected him and, you know, we loved each other. I mean, I felt like I lost part of my body after that. Never felt the same after losing him.”
Grand Rapids police instructed Hergenreder to return the dog to Hamilton, though she reportedly refused after she said she felt authorities would not conduct a thorough investigation of the dog’s living conditions, per the outlet.
Since Hergenreder would not hand the dog back over, the Kent County Prosecutor’s Office charged her with misdemeanor larceny, and her trial is set for March 6. Kent County Prosecutor Christopher Becker said the charges are simple.
“People have a very big attachment to their animals," Becker continued. “No matter where you are in life, what your stature is in life, be it rich, poor, whatever it is, this is something that’s important to an individual. Obviously, the jury will have a right to hear the case and make a decision based on the facts and evidence.”
PEOPLE has reached out to the Kent County Police Department and Prosecutor’s Office for comment on this case.
source: people.com
