FLINT, MI -- A Flint man has been charged with animal abuse after he was seen in a video beating his dog with a broom and dragging her by the leg.
The owner of a 1-year-old female puppy named Sweat Pea, Lovell Farmer, 38, of Flint, has been charged with multiple counts including animal abuse after he was arrested for beating his dog, Sheriff Chris Swanson said during a Friday, Oct. 22 news conference.
On Oct. 11, Farmer was pursuing Sweet Pea after she ran away from his house, Swanson said. A resident took a video of the incident.
The video, shown by Swanson during the press conference, shows Farmer beating Sweet Pea with a broom. He then drags her away by the leg.
Sweet Pea can be heard yelping in the video.
Farmer was taken into custody after “the community stood up” to report the abuse, Swanson said.
During his arrest, officers also found Farmer in possession of 10 grams of cocaine, which Swanson said is more cocaine than is normal for “personal use.”
In addition to being charged with animal abuse, neglect and torture and a misdemeanor count of abandoning an animal, Farmer faces a count of controlled substances and manufacturing of cocaine.
He was arraigned Thursday, Oct. 14, on all four counts, according to court records. His bond was set at $75,000.
Swanson said cases like Farmer’s serve as a lesson.
Farmer claimed he was trying to train his dog, the sheriff said. But, if training methods used on an animal cause it to suffer, then that person should not have an animal, Swanson added.
Sweet Pea was taken to Genesee County Animal Control. From there, county Animal Control Director Jay Parker was able to place Sweet Pea in a foster home.
Parker said Sweet Pea has now been fixed and is in a good home.
“This dog is submissive. She’s been beaten to submissive,” Parker said. “She’s probably known a life of abuse and fear but she’s a great dog.”
For dog owners looking for resources to get their dogs spayed and neutered, Parker said they can reach out to All About Animals, a local organization helping pet owners.
Genesee County Animal Control is always looking for people to foster animals. Anyone interested can call 810-732-1660.
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