Michigan man ‘beaten to death’ on Christmas Eve while trying to save dog from abuse – US News

Warning: Contains references to animal cruelty that some readers may find disturbing.

A Michigan man has been described as a “hero” after he was allegedly “beaten to death” by a neighbor while trying to stop a dog from being hit.

Robert ‘Bobby’ Cavanaugh had been riding his bike around his mobile home community in Madison Heights, Michigan on Christmas Eve when he saw the animal supposedly being beaten.

Bobby’s sister, Jane Thompson, claimed he tried to intervene, but when he did so he was attacked with an object.

Bobby was knocked unconscious and police and firefighters responded to the scene, where Madison Heights Police Lt. David Koehler said they found him.insensitive and bleeding’.

Bobby was riding a bicycle when he saw the alleged attack (Click on Detroit)

“Firefighters attempted life-saving measures,” Koehler said, but after being taken to the hospital, Bobby was pronounced dead.

Officers are now investigating the incident and the claim that Bobby was trying to save a dog when it was attacked. The suspect in the case is known to authorities and was taken into police custody.

By fox 2 detroit, Koehler said, “There was some type of altercation, but we don’t know what led to it. Our investigation led to someone’s arrest, but it appeared that Cavanaugh suffered blunt force trauma that could have caused his death.” “

After Bobby’s death, his loved ones paid tribute to him and demanded justice for the ‘animal lover’.

“He’s kind of a hero to me,” Thompson said. “He was always reaching out to others, helping them.”

A neighbor, Rebecca Spencer, added: “He wouldn’t let anyone kill an animal or hurt it. He’s been in this community for a long time and has helped everyone.”

Bobby’s sister Jane described him as a ‘hero’ (GoFundMe)

Since then, Thompson has created a GoFundMe page in which he said that his younger brother had a “heart of gold.”

“(He) would do everything he could to help the community in any way he could and would never ask for a dime,” she wrote. “He did everything from his heart. He was a man who loved the Lord and always gave back when he could, especially to all the animals.”

Thompson said his family wants to “honor” Bobby by giving him a “proper burial like the hero he was.”

“His wishes were to be buried and not cremated. Thank you so much for your consideration as we continue to pray for peace and humanity for our entire world,” he wrote.

Thompson set the goal for GoFundMe in $4,000, but fundraising has since surpassed the goal, raising nearly $19,000 at the time of this writing (December 29).

UNILAD has reached out to Madison Heights police for updates.

If you see an animal in danger and/or in need of help, call 911 if a crime is being committed. You can also visit a directory of animal abuse investigation agencies by state. here.