JACKSON, Mich., Feb. 10 (UPI) -- A Michigan man who sent his dog to find and kill a raccoon in his garage is facing a misdemeanor charge of animal cruelty resulting in death.
Seth Foster, 23, of Jackson said when he found his family garage in disarray in August, he sent in his dog, Grizz, a blue heeler, to investigate, The Jackson Citizen Patriot reported Thursday.
The dog came out with a raccoon, and Forster allegedly encouraged the dog to "tear it apart" while two teenage boys looked on, the Citizen Patriot reported.
A neighbor called police and a deputy arrived at the scene.
One of the boys recorded the incident on his cell phone, and authorities said they have two or more minutes of cell phone footage showing the animal's killing.
Foster, who refused a plea bargain, maintaining he's innocent of the charge, faces a maximum sentence of 90 days in jail and a $500 fine. His jury trial is set for Feb. 25.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment, said there are seasons during which a raccoon may be hunted, but a property owner with no license or permit may kill raccoons year round if the animal is damaging or about to damage property.
Foster said the raccoon put a hole in the garage, damaged a door, ate bird feed and knocked down tools.
The animal was "raising hell," Mike Foster said.
But dogs may not be used in the state to kill game, only to find, chase or retrieve it, a DNRE spokeswoman said.
