A family in Flint, MI is under investigation today after a neighbor posted a video on social media of their young child abusing a puppy. In this video, posted below, you can see the boy, aged around 3-5 years, grab the puppy multiple times and throw him or her into the road, the puppy escapes for a few seconds as a car passes. Once caught, the boy brings the puppy back and begins throwing it in the center of the road again. After each throw the boy looks down the road as if he is watching for a car enthusiastically. The puppy limps back up the driveway multiple times only to be grabbed back up and tossed roughly into the middle of the pavement. The neighbor that shot the video, Karl Collyer, can be heard telling the boy to “knock it off” as it sounds like a car is approaching. The child then drops the puppy and runs away and back into his home.

This video has gone viral with over 7000 shares and has gained attention from all over the world. A flood of concerned people have been writing, calling, and posting on the local law enforcement’s social media pages. It has also sparked an online petition calling for banning the abusive boy’s family to own pets which has over 2000 signatures so far. As a result, the puppy was removed from the home along with four other dogs. Neighbors commenting on the original posts have brought into question other abuses in the home directed towards the child. Another post states that the people in the home had pulled a gun on Karl Collyer previously when he had confronted them. The police investigation will be able to address these concerns.

Sheriff Robert J. Pickell, current Sheriff of Genesee County, placed this statement on his Facebook page today regarding the incident:

“Today my office became aware of a young boy in the city of Flint who was seen repeatedly picking up a small puppy and throwing the puppy into the road in front of oncoming traffic. Thankfully the puppy was not injured. I ordered that the dog be held at Animal Control over the weekend while we investigate. I anticipate being able to turn over our investigative evidence to the Prosecutor’s office on Monday so that appropriate charges relating to animal cruelty can be filed. Once our investigation is completed I hope to be able to see this puppy be adopted into a safe and loving home. No animal should ever be treated in this manner.”

Sherrif Pickell’s post has gained comments from all over the United States and has even brought attention from abroad with comments from Italy, Australia, and Scotland. The small town Sheriffs office is about to be made very aware of the power of social media with the thousands of people watching and following this story. People are concerned not only for the puppy but for the emotional well-being of the child. Many are asking for the child to be removed from the home as well until an investigation of his home life can be evaluated.

“I just couldn’t believe my eyes,” says Pickell. “When you see the way he picked this puppy up and threw it again and again and again, you know it just didn’t start.” The child’s grandfather, Kevin Stange, is the owner of the puppy. “We can’t allow a little puppy to be treated like that. He also has two more dogs,” says Pickell.

Without the concern of Karl Collyer and the fast spreading nature of social media this puppy and child’s fate may have never come into question. The power of viral content online is only in it’s earliest stages of being recognized. It will be exciting to witness what the future of technology holds for our ever-evolving world. What effect do you think that social media will have on exposing abuse in the upcoming years?

 **UPDATE**

In response to the outpouring on social media about the young boy throwing the puppy into the middle of the road. Karl Collyer posted this update on his facebook page yesterday about the Kevin Stange, the grandfather that lives with the young boy:

“Yes Kevin Stange is in Jail pending trial for a totally unrelated charge of Felon with a Gun.

If you live in my Neighborhood you would be appalled by Kevin Stange’s behavior for my last 2-1/2 years and other neighbors even longer. You have your aggressive people then you have your bullies. Kevin is a Domestic Urban Terrorist.

I will be posting a series of Videos to show you daily life on Belle Ave as an Enemy of Kevin Stange.

Every day he will drive by making loud obscenities and rude comments to the neighbors or me with no stopping it from Flint Police Department. His Buddy Flint Police Officer Summers who in my opinion is corrupt did not handle the calls regarding Kevin correctly. I get along with all my neighbors and everyone gets along with everyone else, except Kevin. Hopefully we can put this in our rear view mirror and make FLINT BETTER.

Flint 911 is a tragedy with a lot of 8 hour response times or no responses at all which include false incident logs of no call back answer or no one home excuse list. Officer Summers was always on majority the responding Officer that got nothing done.

I am pushing for an Common Mutual Aid Package for Police Services with other Departments (MSP, GenCo Sheriff and others.) There will be a need in cost sharing. Eliminate the Flint 911 immediately and transfer to Gen Co 911 Services for proper police respose. No more 911 operators saying “we will be out” with no response. IT WILL COST MONEY BUT THIS IS NOT WORKING.

“THE BUCK STOPS HERE” IS THE NEW SLOGAN FOR FLINT 911 calls. Anything less is unacceptable. FLINT cannot recover without proper Police services.

I will be contacting Governor Rick Snyder this week. I need your guys Help to Make Flint Better.”

It has been reported that arrangements are already being made to get the 4-year-old boy that tossed the puppy into the middle of the road professional help. The puppy will be up for adoption at a later date. Sheriff Pickell has planned to have the investigation evaluated by the end of the week to determine if charges will be made.

Stay tuned to Social Esteem Media for updates on the situation.