Michigan man accused of strangling his father's dog sentenced to community service
A 49-year-old Macomb County man accused of strangling his father's Labrador Retriever has been sentenced to community service.
On Monday, William John Kucharski Jr. was sentenced to 62 days of community service after pleading no contest to one count of animal cruelty, a 93-day misdemeanor, according to court records.
On Jan. 14, 2025, Macomb County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to a home on Prinz Road in Richmond Township for a report of a possible dead family pet and a threat to a family member. Deputies say the caller was concerned about the welfare of Kucharski and Kucharski's father.
Kucharski was reportedly home alone with the dog and is accused of choking and killing the animal. When his father returned home, he allegedly found his son with his arms around the dog and was unable to remove them. Deputies say Kucharski made threats to harm himself.
Kucharski was reportedly uncooperative with deputies and was later arrested.
Prosecutors say a veterinarian who conducted the necropsy of the dog could not prove the cause of the dog's death and only determined that it had chronic age-related issues.
As a result of the necropsy, prosecutors dismissed the charge of third-degree killing of an animal and a habitual fourth-offender charge.
"When we can no longer prove the original charge beyond a reasonable doubt, the right thing to do is to dismiss the charges and add the appropriate charge. Upholding the integrity of the justice system means ensuring that every decision is based on truth and fairness," said Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido.
