Michigan: Police say Jessica Brown and Nathan McCue bound a Shih Tzu's feet and wrapped his entire face in electrical tape and then stomped him to death. His crime? He peed on some clothes lying on the floor.

MICHIGAN --  Sheriff Robert Pickell took to social media Wednesday night with new details after a pair of Genesee County residents were arraigned on animal cruelty charges following the discovery of a dead dog over the weekend.

Jessica Lou Brown, 18, and Nathan Chase McCue, 21, were arraigned March 15 by Genesee District Judge Mark McCabe via video from the Genesee County Jail on one felony charge each of killing and torturing an animal.

 

A pair of photos posted by Pickell over the weekend of the dead mixed-breed Shih Tzu found on March 8 approximately 40 yards from the South Creek Mobile Home Park in Vienna Township with its mouth and feet bound with black electrical tape.

In his new post, the sheriff says the 7-year-old dog's name is Dakota and alleges the couple became upset after the animal urinated on McCue's clothing, which led to the bounding with tape and subsequent police investigation.

"Both defendants are alleged to have bound Dakota's legs, head, and face with electrical tape, and then proceeded to stomp on the dog's neck, ultimately causing his death," according to Pickell. 

 

The pair were turned in to police by someone they were familiar with.

"The individual who ultimately called our office with the tip that led to these arrests was actually the mother of one of the defendants (Brown)," said Pickell. "I applaud her courage to do the right thing, and understand the concern she had for others in that household, including her own grandchildren."

The pair faces a potential sentence of up to four years each in state prison.

Brown and McCue spoke only briefly to answer the judge's questions and request court-appointed attorneys. McCue appeared on-screen wearing an anti-suicide smock.

Bond for both is set at $10,000 each, with the stipulation of zero contact with, ownership of, or possession of any animal, McCabe said.

After holding him down, they wrapped the electrical tap around
his legs and then wrapped it completely around his head so he
couldn't breathe. Then they stomped on him, killing him. Then
they left his poor little body in the woods to rot.

Pickell has called this instance "truly one of the most horrific cases I have seen in my law enforcement career, and I am heartened by the caring and swift response I saw from our community."

"I urge you to continue to call my office to report these types of cases, so law enforcement can investigate," he said. They must be handled seriously, and justice served accordingly."

A probable cause conference for Brown and McCue is scheduled for 1 p.m. Thursday, March 23 before Genesee District Judge Vikki Bayeh-Haley.

 

(MLive - March 15, 2017)