Vet Snatched Dog from Homeless Owner Now Faces Jail Time

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A Michigan veterinarian has been found guilty of misdemeanor larceny after a jury determined she unlawfully took a homeless man’s elderly dog. The case, which sparked widespread debate over animal welfare and ownership rights, concluded after jurors deliberated for only 45 minutes.

Dr. Amanda Hergunrider, who practices near Frankenmuth, faced charges after removing a 16-year-old pit bull named Benny from his owner in Grand Rapids last November. Hergunrider testified that she believed the dog was in poor health and needed urgent care, insisting her actions were motivated by compassion rather than theft.

According to testimony, Benny’s owner had tethered him to a U-Haul truck near Eastern Avenue and 28th Street while he walked to a nearby gas station. He stated he was gone for no more than 45 minutes, but when he returned, Benny — his companion of 13 years — had vanished.

Prosecutors argued that while Hergunrider may have been concerned for the dog’s wellbeing, her actions crossed a legal line. They emphasized that she admitted to taking the animal and, though she contacted police afterward, the law still considered it theft. “This larceny, this theft that occurred is indisputable,” the prosecution told jurors.

Both Benny’s owner and Hergunrider testified during the trial. Hergunrider described Benny as looking skinny and unhealthy, saying she felt compelled to act. Prosecutors countered that her concern, however genuine, did not give her the right to remove the dog without consent.

The jury ultimately sided with the prosecution, finding Hergunrider guilty of larceny. She now faces up to 93 days in jail and/or a $500 fine. Sentencing has not yet been scheduled.

A young and sweet pit bull was found behind a warehouse in south Memphis with hundreds of bite marks and other severe injuries. Liam, as the rescuers named him, had been used as bait for dog fighting and his abusers are still at large.

The case has prompted broader conversations about how society should address conflicts between animal welfare concerns and the rights of pet owners, particularly those facing homelessness. For Benny’s owner, it was not just a legal dispute but a deeply personal loss involving a loyal companion who had been by his side for more than a decade.