CLAWSON, Mich. – A 26-year-old Clawson man was arrested after his St. Bernard puppy was found with two broken ribs in Oakland County.
Clawson police received calls from neighbors at Rishi Kunal Joshi's apartment building, expressing concern that they could hear a puppy crying.
Police responded Sept. 26 to the apartment near 14 Mile Road and Main Street. They said they found Joshi drunk, and when one of the officers tried to play with the puppy, the dog wouldn't move.
Officers said the dog howled in pain when they tried to pick it up.
Joshi agreed to take the dog to an emergency veterinary clinic in Madison Heights, but police wouldn't let him drive because he was intoxicated. He called a friend to drive him and the dog to the vet.
The veterinarian found that the puppy had two broken ribs, officials said. The woman who drove Joshi to the clinic got upset with him and left him at the vet's office.
Animal control took custody of the puppy and an officer drove Joshi back to his apartment.
The puppy is being treated for its broken ribs and is expected to be OK, officials said.
The woman who drove Joshi to the clinic said she was afraid to return to his apartment after she left him at the clinic. When she went back the next day to get her car from the parking lot, she found that both of her side-view mirrors had been torn off the car. Police said the car had $700 in damages.
When police interviewed Joshi, he admitted that he was angry and tore the mirrors off the car, police said.
Joshi also admitted that he might have stepped on the dog because he was intoxicated, police said. The dog won't be returned to him unless he's cleared of animal cruelty charges, officials said.
Joshi was arrested on charges of animal cruelty and malicious destruction of property over $200 but less than $1,000. Animal cruelty is a 93-day misdemeanor and malicious destruction of property is a one-year misdemeanor. Both charges come with $5,000 bail.
Joshi must have an alcohol tether attached before he's released. he cannot have a pet or animal while the case is ongoing, police said.
The puppy is still being held by Oakland County Animal Control.
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