But in response to the multiple reports — close to 50 calls Wednesday to the Central Lane 911 dispatch center and 83 Facebook messages, according to Eugene police spokeswoman Melinda McLaughlin — a city animal welfare officer and patrol officer responded to the claim and learned that the man, Matt McMichael, no longer lives in Lane County.
Eugene police forwarded the case to the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, where McMichael now lives.
Linn County Undersheriff Jim Yon said McMichael lives in Harrisburg, and that a follow-up investigation is underway.
An initial investigation on Wednesday did not reveal any evidence that a crime had been committed, said Yon, who added that he had not yet seen the images. The investigation is continuing and charges still are possible, he said.
It is unknown when the photo of the zip-tied puppy was taken. However, photos posted on the Facebook page of “Exposed,” a national anti-animal cruelty group, had been shared more than 1,500 times as of Thursday afternoon.
Originally, the photo was captioned: “When you’re tired of the (expletive) barking!!!!!”
When people began to comment on the photo, a Facebook user that appeared to be McMichael responded with the words “laugh out loud” and claimed it was a joke.
“The zip tie wasn’t even tight, everyone chill out,” the user wrote.
The dog appears to be a dachshund and is named Hank, according to other photos posted on McMichael’s profile.
McMichael since has taken down his Facebook profile.
Snapchat is a smartphone application that allows users to send photos that disappear after they are viewed — unless the receiver saves the picture.
(Register Guard - Feb 19, 2016)
Categories:
