Man Clings to Life After Woman Brutally Beats Him, Dog: Police

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A Milford man and his dog were brutally beaten with a metal rod, allegedly by a 58-year-old woman who lived at the residence.

The victim, 68, remains on life support in serious condition at a local hospital, where he was transported by Michigan Survival Flight late Monday night, police said.

The woman was taken into custody after she made a 911 call to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center at 11:35 p.m. In the call, she told the dispatcher the man and his dog had serious injuries she had caused, police said in a news release.

Milford Police Chief Thomas Lindberg couldn’t immediately confirm the relationship between the man and woman, but told the Detroit Free Press they lived in the home together.

In the news release, Lindberg called the incident “an intense domestic violence crime” that “will have long-term dramatic effects on every member of this family.”

The woman was standing in the roadway when police arrived at the residence, located in the 1300 block of Norton in Milford Township. Inside, they found victim suffering significant head and torso trauma after he was hit several times with the large metal rod, police said.

The same rod was used to beat the dog, an older golden retriever that is being treated at Milford Veterinary Care Specialists. Lindberg told the newspaper “the dog was in really rough shape.”

The extent of the dog’s injuries are unclear, and the dog was expected to undergo an ultrasound on the abdomen to determine whether he sustained internal injuries.

Milford Veterinary Care Specialists is covering the cost of the dog’s care.

Based on preliminary evidence and “spontaneous statements” the woman reportedly made at the scene, she was taken into custody and lodged at the Oakland County Jail. Police said they’re not sure of the motive.

“We have no idea of that,” Lindberg told the Free Press. “There was no reason indicated. She has requested counsel so we don’t have information as far as a motive.”

The Milford Police Department has requested warrants from the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office, likely for attempted murder and animal cruelty, a four-year felony, according to the news release.