Investigation for animal cruelty after man brags about zip-tying dog's muzzle

[KamaAina]

http://www.examiner.com/article/investigation-for-animal-cruelty-after-man-brags-about-zip-tying-dog-s-muzzle

In a social media screenshot garnered from a Snapchat message on Wednesday afternoon, a Eugene, Oregon man bragged about using a zip-tie to shut his dog's mouth because it barked too much, reported the Facebook page Exposed.

When the photo and information appeared, social media users were irate and messages poured into the Central Lane 911 dispatch center and to police. The post on Exposed read, "So according to the girlfriend, they just got the poor pup. Now this is what Matt does because the PUPPY won't stop barking???..... A f**** zip tie???? Ok Matty boy, let's see how this goes down. To no surprise, he deleted his profile, punk." According to the Eugene Police Department, spokesperson Melinda McLaughlin, an animal welfare officer and a patrol officer responded to the report and discovered the man, Matt McMichael no longer lived in Lane County. On the Facebook page of the Eugene Police Department came the following announcement: "An animal welfare officer and Eugene police patrol followed up after finding the address of the suspect. They learned he does not live in the city of Eugene anymore. The case has been forwarded to the Linn County Sheriff's Office for follow-up investigation." As of Thursday afternoon, the post had been shared more than 1280 times. Under the original photo, allegedly posted by McMichael, was the comment, "When you're tired of the (***) barking!!!!!"

As the post and photo garnered more attention, a comment was added stating "laugh out loud" and "The zip tie wasn't even tight, everyone chill out." The Facebook page has since been removed. There has been no further information about the dachshund named Hank.

[Wraith20878]

1. Jesus H. F-Ing Christ!

Why do people like this even have a dog or a cat?

[Orrex]

2. They should zip-tie a protruding portion of his anatomy, to see how funny it is.

[Iggo]

5. Tape over the mouth, pinched nostrils, and a plastic jumpsuit....

...would more accurately mirror what it looks like he did to that dog.

I wouldn't wish that on anyone. Not even him.

[Orrex]

7. I was thinking of zipping a different portion of the anatomy, but...

I like your suggestion as well.

[CrispyQ]

3. Throw the book at this sick fuck.

[11 Bravo]

4. If I personally witnessed that, either the pooch's owner or I would ...

be visiting the ER. FUCK! You can see the tie cutting into the tender skin around the poor dog's muzzle.

[ProfessorGAC]

6. Geez, Did I Picture That Wrong

I was thinking a zip tie being used to keep an actual muzzle in place, not a zip tie across the snout.

What an idiot.

Does he not know dogs lose excess body heat through their mouth? Well, probably doesn't know too much about anything.

And to the person who said "it wasn't tight". Why didn't the dog just pull it off then?

[BeanCounting]

8. Owner was found and was not found to have caused the dog harm.

I live near Eugene, OR and watched story closely. It took law enforcement two days to locate the jerk of an owner. Owner made it out to be a joke and no charges were made against him. I could not believe it! Supposedly the investigation went from Eugene, to Linn Co. Sheriff's Office and then passed on to an animal rights group before this determination was made. I call horseshit.

[Iggo]

9. Not surprising they'd say there wasn't enough evidence to charge him with anything.

Still, people who know him (and way more who don't know him) know what he did.

Best we can hope for is that they'll point and say "There goes the dog-torturer."