This alert is no longer active, but here for reference. Animals still need your help.

A Michigan veterinarian was charged with animal cruelty after a video was shared of him beating and choking his German shepherd at his home. Urge the Michigan Veterinary Medical Board to revoke his license!

In October 2022, Wayne Gilchrist was arrested and charged with animal cruelty after one of his children shared footage of him abusing his dog on YouTube. People who recognized him alerted local authorities, who launched an investigation and subsequently removed all three dogs from his home. Authorities are also looking into additional potential forms of abuse in the household.

Gilchrist's attorney is trying to defend the behavior by saying that he was disciplining the dog with an “alpha roll,” but that action was discredited by the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior for good reason.

Fortunately, the argument didn't hold up with Judge Jennifer Andary, who stated, “You had an obligation, sir, to de-escalate, not seek an animal or human out, but as charged here today, sir, you have an obligation, not only pursuant to your training and expertise, but as a human being to de-escalate a situation and not make it worse. You did not do that."

Gilchrist bonded out on the conditions that he has no contact with animals, enrolls in therapy, takes multiple drug tests per week, and does not show aggressive or threatening behavior.

He is facing up to 93 days in jail, a $1,000 fine, and 200 hours of community service, or a combination of these penalties, if found guilty. He is due back in court on December 16.

While Gilchrist should face penalties for what he did, he should also not be allowed to continue to practice veterinary medicine.

This alert is no longer active, but here for reference. Animals still need your help.