Dog, Man Beaten to Put Them 'Out of Their Misery': Police

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A Milford woman accused of brutally beating her husband and the family dog with a crowbar told investigators “both were sick and (she) was putting them out of their misery,” according to media reports.

Yvonne Helen Cortis, 58, was arraigned by video in 52-1 District Court in Novi Wednesday on one count of attempted murder, punishable by up to life in prison, and a second count of animal torture, a four-year felony. Magistrate Andra Richardson set Coris’ bond at $1 million, with a 10 percent cash surety.

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Cortis’ husband, 68-year-old Gregory Cortis, was clinging to life late Monday night when police responded to the home in the 1300 block of Nortoon after Yvonne Cortis made a 911 call.

Milford Police Det. Sgt. Scott Tarasiewicz said the victim remains sedated and on life support.

During Wednesday’s arraignment, Tarasiewicz said authorities are concerned that Yvonne Curtis, a Canadian citizen living in the United States on a green card, is a flight risk, and that releasing her could put family members in Michigan in danger.

“I am very concerned about her as a flight risk,” Tarasiewicz said. “It is my understanding she only has one relative living in the United States. The majority of her family lives in Canada, and to reiterate what pretrial services has said, the victim’s daughter and her family believe they are at harm if she is released from this facility. She has been attacked before in the past, according to the daughter.”

Cortis, who worked as a slicer for a Wixom catering company, was told by the court to contact the Canadian Consulate when she said she lacked the funds to hire an attorney to represent her, The Oakland Press reported.

Tarasiewicz said Gregory and Yvonne Cortis were involved in an ongoing domestic situation that could “be quite volatile,” according to the Detroit Free Press.

“There is some sort of history here with this family and these two obviously. ...She gave us no indication of an absolute motive other than the fact that the dog and the husband were suffering. We want to get a little bit more background into the family and the domestic situation at the house.”

Yvonne Cortis reportedly has a history of mental issues and was described by her step-daughter, who sought protection against her, as “violent and unbalanced.” Gregory Cortis reportedly twice sought a divorce against his wife of eight years — once in November 2012 and again in May 2015. The latest filing was dismissed in October, according to The Oakland Press.

Tarasiewicz said Cortis admitted to striking her husband and the family dog — an 11-year-old golden retriever named Carley — with a crowbar because both were sick and she wanted to end their suffering. Gregory Cortis reportedly has Alzheimer’s disease.

Milford Veterinary Care Specialists Hospital Administrator Peter Barnes told the Detroit Free Press Carley’s condition improved overnight and she is in “guarded but fair condition.”

“There’s been improvement,” Barnes said. “Carley is doing better today. We’re continuing treatment. She’s more lucid today and more aware of what’s going on. We’re still monitoring the situation.”