Abuse and neglect of dog Ypsilanti, MI (US) Incident Date: Thursday, Jul 12, 2001 County: Washtenaw Local Map: available Disposition: Dismissed Case Images: 2 files available Person of Interest: Donald Leslie Bell

Case ID: 176 Classification: Kicking/Stomping, Neglect / Abandonment Animal: dog (non pit-bull) View more cases in MI (US) Abuse was retaliation against animal's bad behavior Login to Watch this Case

Bell of 9943 Joan Circle Lot #166, (DOB 10.8/54, age 47) plea bargained his case # DR-B-01-0000339 at his non-jury trial. The dog Tip was released to The Huron Valley Humane Society and the charges against Bell dismissed with prejudice. Tip has subsequently been adopted.

Under Michigan law MCL 750.50; MSA 28.245 - animal cruelty is a misdemeanor with a penalty of 93 days in jail, $1000 fine and up to 200 hours of community service, or any combination of penalties, and costs of prosecution; may also be order to pay the costs of care, housing, or veterinary care and may be ordered not to own/possess an animal during probation.

Tip is a black lab and blue healer mix, approximately 1 1/2 years old. Tip's neglect was first witnessed in January 2001, when the dog was found outside in severe cold weather with no protection from the elements.

In February, 2001, Bell was observed kicking the dog in the mouth, because the dog was barking. The dogs leash was attached to a lawn mower. He had no water, his orange water bowl was always kept out reach.

Two weeks later the son James Bell (age 13) was observed hitting the dog in the head with his skateboard.

Everyday of Tip's life you could hear that he was being hurt. Yelling at the dog and thumping and yelping sounds always coming from inside the home every time Tip barked. The dog was left outside 6-10 hours a day, everyday in either cold or heat.

It was later discovered by the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Department cruelty investigator, Julie Curtis that when the dog was caged inside the home the cage was barely big enough for a rabbit. Tip was also never given any vaccinations until just 2 weeks before Bell's hearing, nor was he ever licensed until July, 2001.

On May 17, 2001 Bell was arrested for Animal Cruelty and Abandonment and was taken to jail for 4 hours then released after posting a $500.00 surety bond.

On July 12th, Judge John B. Collins found Bell guilty of the charges. He plea bargained and released the dog to the Humane Society with all charges dismissed.

The son James was never charged with the cruelty and neglect. In 2000, James was expelled from school for painting Satan symbols on the walls of the school. It was also reported that James previously killed a goose and hung it on a fence at the lake, his father buried the remains in the back yard. James was given community service at the wildlife agency but the service was never completed. It was also reported that James and his friend BJ Lewis broke a ducks leg after killing the goose. Police Officer Tom Bovin took the duck to a wildlife rescue.

The witnesses in the case, who testified on behalf of Tip has been harrassed and threatened by both Bells. A Protective Order against Bell has been filed. One of the witnesses reported Bell taking his hand, forming his fingers and thumb into the shape of a gun and pointing it at her. Her house was also egged.

Update 6/02: James Bell has once again gotten into trouble. James hit a girl on the school bus for not giving him a tic tac candy. The girls eye was blackened and she has bruises on her arms. A police report was filed and the school has yet to decide whether or not to suspend James.

Update: Donald Bell now owns a cat. When he plea bargained his case, the dismissal did not address owning any animals in the future.

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