~ Update: October 23, 2022
The veterinarian who was seen in an upsetting video choking and slamming his German Shepherd named Josie, has been identified as 52-years-old WAYNE ALBERT GILCHRIST (pictured), and the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office has charged him with one misdemeanor count of animals-abandoning/cruelty to one animal.
GILCHRIST, who owns Companion Animal Care Clinic in Shelby Township with his wife, Dr. Janine Tryban, was arraigned on October 21, 2022, in the 42nd District Court in Romeo.
GILCHRIST’s defense attorney, Paul Stockyj, entered a not guilty plea for his client. He argued that the video shows his client disciplining Josie.
According to The Detroit News, Stockyj said the video will never be admitted into evidence. Stockyj told Judge Jennifer Andary: “There is a procedure, it's called an alpha roll, where you can take that dog down. It's not inappropriate to grab the dog by a collar in this particular case.”
The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior does not condone the “alpha roll.”
Macomb County Chief Animal Control Deputy Jeff Randazzo took the stand and said that in the video, Josie is trying to hide from GILCHRIST, but he pursues the dog and then acts on the furbaby violently. Randazzo also pointed out about GILCHRIST: “He also states in video, ‘Don't let dog out.’ He knows he wants to get his hands on that dog.”
Addressing GILCHRIST, Judge Andary said: “You had an obligation, sir, to de-escalate, not seek an animal or human out, but as charged here today, sir, you have an obligation, not only pursuant to your training and expertise, but as a human being to de-escalate a situation and not make it worse. You did not do that.”
According to Click On Detroit, GILCHRIST “was given a $25,000/10% bond and bond conditions that state he is to have no contact with animals whatsoever, enroll in cognitive therapy, no drugs or alcohol with testing three times a month, and no aggressive or threatening behavior.”
WXYZ reports that it was also ordered that three dogs removed from GILCHRIST’s home shall not be returned, but Stockyj “seems poised to fight that and also get the cell phone video tossed out, calling it hearsay.”
GILCHRIST’s pre-trial is scheduled for Wednesday, November 16, 2022, at 9:30 a.m.
A distressing video posted on YouTube showing a male abusing a German Shepherd prompted the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office to open an investigation.
As a result, Macomb County Prosecutor Pete Lucido authorized animal cruelty charges against the male in the video who happens to be a licensed veterinarian.
The veterinarian, whose name not been revealed because he has not been arraigned yet, can be seen in the footage beating, choking, and slamming his own German Shepherd named Josie, in his Ray Township home, while Josie can be heard crying and yelping.
According to Detroit Free Press, Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel said the video was filmed by a child in the house, who later posted it to YouTube. Hackel also said that the “incredibly graphic” footage showed the vet has a “high-intensity” temperament and that “the sheriff’s department was investigating the possibility of other forms of abuse in the household.”
On Monday, October 17, 2022, Prosecutor Lucido authorized a misdemeanor charge of animals - abandoning/cruelty to one animal after conferring with veterinary experts.
Macomb County Animal Control examined Josie and determined that she was not hurt and that she bit a juvenile and a puppy in the vet’s home.
Hackel and Chief Animal Control Officer Jeff Randazzo explained in a video posted on Facebook that Josie was removed and is now being cared for at animal control with two other dogs who were also removed from the vet’s home.
Hackel said: “It’s sad (the dogs) had to be removed because, you know, there is a connection with the kids and the wife. But because that subject in that home, just by his actions, there’s no question we had to get these dogs out of there for their own protection and for their own good.”
Randazzo said the dogs will be placed in “very experienced” foster care and trainers will start working with them.
Hackel called the actions against the dog “very inappropriate” and said they could lead to questioning of the man’s license.
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