Gene C. Zube Jr., 47, of Bay City, is charged with one count of neglect or cruelty to an animal, a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a $500 fine.
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| Gene C. Zube Jr. |
According to Bay County Prosecutor Kurt C. Asbury, on Sept. 22 Zube was observed by a citizen allegedly abusing the dog, named Princess, while he walked her on a leash in the 200 block of Elm Street in the city's Banks District on the West Side.
The citizen recorded video of the incident on his cellphone, Asbury said.
Asbury declined to state the manner in which Zube was allegedly harming the dog.
The witness alerted Bay County Animal Control and officers from the agency subsequently began an investigation. At some point, officers removed Princess from her owner's custody and contacted local small dog fosterer Paulette Jamrog, asking her to take in Princess.
"What an honor it was to foster this little dog," Jamrog said. "She was the type of dog that just needed constant touching. She needed reassurance. She was just petrified, scared. She was a very insecure, very sick dog."
So pronounced was Princess' diffidence, she followed Jamrog around like her shadow, she said.
As Princess convalesced and gained confidence, Jamrog contacted and sent photos of the dog to Lake Orion resident Carol Sorenson, who had adopted other dogs from Jamrog.
"When she told me about Princess, I had to have that dog," Sorenson said. "I think rescues kind of find their way to you, too. I think it's a two-way street."
On Jan. 16, Sorenson and her husband Jon Sorenson adopted Princess.
"She was on the road to recovery," Sorenson said of Princess' condition at the time. "I've seen a lot of improvement since I've had her."
Princess is still undergoing medical treatment, particularly for her eyes. She doesn't see very well and her vision is limited, and her visits to an eye specialist will likely be ongoing, Sorenson said. She also had to have several of her molars removed due to their poor condition, requiring her to eat soft food, Sorenson added.
"When we first got her, she was frightened, but she's opened up," Sorenson said. "She learned how to use the doggy door within 24 hours. She really blossomed and it seemed like probably a week after we got her, she'd go outside in the snow and do her happy roll. She's so enamored about being able to go outside."
The Sorensons have four other dogs.
"She's doing very well with them," Sorenson said. "She's so amiable."
Authorities issued a warrant for Zube on Oct. 20.
On Oct. 28, he was arraigned in Bay County District Court. Asbury said no plea offer has been made in the case. Zube's next court date is pending.
Despite the new home, family, and environment, Princess did not undergo a name-change.
"That was her given name," Jamrog said. "She should be called 'Queen' after what she's been through."
(MLive - Feb 24, 2015)
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