Maurice Francis is accused of kicking and killing a puppy
NORTHPORT -- A man is accused of kicking a 12-week-old puppy more than 18 feet into a wood wheelchair ramp in Leelanau County. The puppy died from internal injuries from the attack.
Maurice Francis is behind bars charged with his 3rd drunk driving offense, malicious destruction of property and felony animal abuse.
It happened Wednesday in Northport.
The Leelanau County Sheriff's Office says Francis showed up at his father's home intoxicated. When his dad refused to let him in the home he went on a rampage, kicking the puppy and then breaking windows on his father's car.
After he took off his dad called deputies and told them what happened.
When deputies arrived they called animal control and tried to coax the puppy out of a hiding place underneath the ramp but the puppy didn't move. After they managed to remove the ramp they found the dog unresponsive.
"We wrapped it in a blanket and rushed it to the veterinarian in Lake Leelanau," explains Deputy Mary Patterson. "They were able to warm the puppy up. It was actually cold to the touch. They did all kinds of heating blankets, heating pads, IV's and the puppy came around, however they feel that some of the injuries due to the events at the house caused the death of the puppy."
Francis, who is from Mt. Pleasant, was arrested by deputies just outside Traverse City.
If found guilty of the crimes, Francis faces 1-5 years in prison for the 3rd OWI, 5 years for malicious destruction of property and 4 years in prison for the felony animal cruelty charge.
