A Michigan man has been remembered as a ‘hero’ after he was allegedly beaten to death by a neighbor while trying to stop the abuse of a dog.
Robert “Bobby” Cavanaugh was cycling through his mobile home community in Madison Heights, Michigan, on Christmas Eve when he came across the heartbreaking sight of a dog reportedly being beaten.
According to her account, Bobby was attacked with an object while attempting to save the animal.
Bobby was left unconscious, and emergency services quickly arrived at the scene.
Madison Heights Police Lt. David Koehler described finding Bobby “unresponsive and bleeding.”
“The fire department tried life-saving measures,” Koehler said.
Unfortunately, despite being rushed to the hospital, Bobby was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
Police have identified the suspect, who is reportedly known to law enforcement, and have taken them into custody.
In a statement to Fox 2 Detroit, Koehler elaborated: “There was an altercation of some sort, but we don’t know what led to it. Our investigation has led to the arrest of someone, but it appeared Cavanaugh had some blunt force trauma which could have potentially caused his death.”
Bobby’s family and community have come together in the wake of this tragedy to honor his memory and demand justice for the animal lover they cherished.
Neighbor Rebecca Spencer shared similar sentiments, saying: “He would not let anybody kill an animal or hurt one. He has been in this community for so long, and he has helped everybody.”
To honor Bobby’s life, Thompson created a GoFundMe page, describing her youngest brother as a man with a “heart of gold” who never hesitated to help others.
She went on to add: “He did everything from his heart. He was a man that loved the Lord and always gave back whenever he could especially all animals.”
The family expressed their desire to give Bobby a proper burial, befitting the hero he was.
“His wishes were to be buried and not to be cremated. Thank you so much for your consideration as we continue to pray for peace, humanity for all of our world,” Thompson wrote, thanking supporters for their kindness.
At the time of writing, nearly $19,000 has been raised (as of December 29), a testament to the outpouring of love and support for Bobby’s cause.
If you witness an animal in distress or suspect abuse, please call 911 if the situation is urgent.
You can also refer to this directory for state-specific animal abuse investigation agencies for additional resources.
