Veterinarian Sentenced to Jail for Refusing to Return a Dog to Its Homeless Owner
A Michigan veterinarian has been sentenced to 10 days in jail after being convicted of misdemeanor larceny for refusing to give an ailing dog back to its owner, who was a homeless man. This case highlights a complex clash between professional ethical duties and the fundamental rights of pet ownership.
The Court’s Decision and Sentencing
On a recent Monday, Dr. Amanda Hergenreder, a veterinarian practicing in Millington, Michigan, received her sentence. The ruling was handed down by Grand Rapids Judge Angela Ross.
Hergenreder had been convicted by a jury following a two-day trial for misdemeanor larceny (theft). Her legal representative, defense attorney Miles Greengard, had petitioned the court to allow Dr. Hergenreder to serve 120 hours of community service instead of jail time. However, Judge Ross decided that a jail sentence was more appropriate for the veterinarian given the circumstances of the conviction.
In addition to the short jail term, Dr. Hergenreder was also ordered to pay $1,000 in restitution.
The Conflict Over Vinnie/Biggby
The dispute centered on an elderly pit bull mix. The dog’s owner was Chris Hamilton, a man residing in Grand Rapids who did not have a permanent home at the time. The dog was known to Mr. Hamilton as Vinnie.
The incident that led to the charges occurred a year earlier when Dr. Hergenreder was visiting Grand Rapids for a professional conference. While there, she observed the 16-year-old dog tied to a truck near a local coffee shop. Believing she had encountered a “dog in distress,” Dr. Hergenreder decided to take the animal.
She transported the dog approximately two hours away to her clinic in Millington, Michigan. Once under her care, the veterinarian treated the animal for serious health issues, including clearing up a severe urinary tract infection and surgically removing a rotten tooth. During the time she cared for him, Hergenreder referred to the dog by the name Biggby.
The Refusal and Rationale
The legal conflict began because Dr. Hergenreder refused to return the dog to Chris Hamilton after treating him.
When faced with the prospect of returning the dog, Hergenreder defended her actions, citing what she believed to be her ethical duties as a veterinarian. She also pointed out that the dog was not licensed. Despite her defense and her efforts to medically assist the animal, prosecutors moved forward with charges, leading to the jury’s conviction.
Acknowledging the Heartbreak
Before receiving her sentence, Dr. Hergenreder spoke to Judge Ross. She reiterated that her initial motivation was seeing a “dog in distress”.
However, she also delivered a profound acknowledgment of her error, admitting that she “failed to see the whole picture”. The veterinarian expressed remorse regarding the emotional impact of her actions, stating, “I failed to honor the bond between Vinnie and Mr. Hamilton. I failed to recognize the heartbreak that would follow,” adding that she “failed to stop, think, and ask questions” before acting.
The life of the dog at the center of the controversy, Vinnie/Biggby, concluded in July, months before the sentencing. Due to health complications related to his advanced age, the pit bull mix was euthanized.
Following the court’s decision, defense attorney Miles Greengard voiced his disappointment that Dr. Hergenreder was ordered to serve time in jail. Nevertheless, he offered a concluding thought: the defense found “solace” in the knowledge that Vinnie/Biggby was able to spend his last few months in a “warm, safe, loving, caring environment”.
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