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

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

Warning: Contains a reference to animal cruelty that some readers may find upsetting

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

Robert “Bobby” Cavanaugh was riding his bike through his mobile home community in Madison Heights, Michigan, on Christmas Eve when he saw the allegedly beaten animal.

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

Bobby lost consciousness and police and firefighters responded to the scene, where Madison Heights Police Lt. David Koehler said they found him “unconscious and bleeding.”

Bobby was riding his bike when he saw the alleged attack (Click Detroit)

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

Officers are currently investigating the incident and the claim that Bobby was trying to save a dog when he was attacked. The suspect in this case is known to law enforcement and has been taken into custody.

According to Fox 2 Detroit, Koehler said, “There was an altercation, but we don’t know what led to that. Our investigation led to someone being arrested, but it appears Cavanaugh suffered blunt force trauma that may have occurred. which potentially caused his death. »

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

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

Neighbor Rebecca Spencer added: “He wouldn’t let anyone kill or hurt an animal. He’s been in this community for so long and he’s helped everyone.”

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

Thompson has since created a GoFundMe page in which she says her youngest 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 whenever he could, especially all animals.”

Thompson said his family wanted to “honor” Bobby by giving him a “burial worthy of 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 the entire world,” she wrote.

Thompson set the GoFundMe goal at $4,000, but the fundraiser has since surpassed the goal and raised nearly $19,000 at the time of writing (Dec. 29).

UNILAD has reached out to Madison Heights police for updates.

If you see an animal in distress and/or in need of help, call 911 if a crime is in progress. You can also view a directory of animal abuse investigative agencies by state. here.