A severely-burned Jack Russell Terrier puppy named Gideon captured hearts worldwide – but despite his agony, prosecutors won’t press charges.
The Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office in Michigan announced Friday that no one will be held responsible for the horrific injuries suffered by Gideon, who was allegedly placed into a tub of scalding water in a Detroit home during a heated family argument.
‘I’m so upset,’ Kelly LaBonty, Director of the Detroit Animal Welfare Group (DAWG) told Click on Detroit. ‘How can you not prosecute that? How can you not? I just can’t even believe it.’
The case has drawn international attention and inspired widespread protests. But prosecutors now say the evidence does not support charges that could hold up in court.
The disturbing incident began in the early hours of January 12, when a 19-year-old woman called 911 to report that her mother was drunk and antagonizing her at their home on Maddelien Street in Detroit.
Officers arrived and made the mother leave, sending her across the street to stay with her son.
But just hours later, the mother called 911 to report that her puppy – later identified as Gideon – had been badly burned.
She initially said she didn’t witness what happened, but minutes later called again and claimed her daughter had thrown the dog into hot water.
Four-month-old Jack Russell Terrier Gideon suffered third-degree burns to his legs and face in January
Animal lovers have protested outside the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office demanding justice for Gideon
Police found Gideon in ‘deep distress’ after a 911 call claimed the puppy had been burned in a bathtub
‘This is a dangerous person that’s out here – someone who can do that to an animal,’ LaBonty said. ‘They need to be behind bars.’
By the time police arrived back at the home, Gideon was in visible distress, suffering from burns on his legs and face.
Officers noted that the mother had not directly witnessed the incident.
The 19-year-old daughter claimed Gideon had jumped into a bath she’d run earlier.
Her boyfriend, who had been upstairs at the time, confirmed they heard the dog scream and then pulled him from the water.
A 13-year-old sister also said she’d heard Gideon crying and saw him burned – but told officers the puppy was too small to jump into the tub on his own.
According to court documents, a veterinary expert later examined Gideon and determined the burn pattern did not match a dog jumping into a tub.
DAWG director Kelly LaBonty has slammed the decision not to press charges over Gideon’s injuries
Over 1,500 people waited in line to meet Gideon at a fundraiser, with fans from as far as Australia and the UK
Instead, the injuries suggested Gideon had been placed hind legs first into the scalding water, then remained there for several seconds – or even minutes.
Gideon was treated at a veterinary hospital for 10 days, then transferred to a foster home where he continued outpatient care.
His injuries were extensive: third-degree burns, necrotic skin, bacterial infections, weight loss, refusal to walk, and extreme pain.
Still, prosecutors say they can’t determine beyond a reasonable doubt who hurt him.
‘People are correct about this: Gideon… suffered horrific abuse,’ said Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy in a lengthy statement. ‘But in every crime, we must be able to prove WHO did it. We are not able to do that in this case.’
The decision not to prosecute has enraged DAWG and animal lovers around the world, many of whom have followed Gideon’s recovery closely.
His story has spread as far as the UK, Australia, and Africa.
Supporters from across the U.S. and abroad sent gifts and donations to aid Gideon’s recovery
‘There’s a police report with the mother stating what happened,’ said LaBonty. ‘There’s evidence. I just don’t understand. This is why it happens all the time.’
More than 1,500 people showed up to meet Gideon at a restaurant fundraiser.
Others have sent gifts and letters from across the U.S., including Tennessee, Illinois, and Pennsylvania. Online posts have flooded the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office with demands for justice.
But Worthy stood by the decision.
‘We must charge what we can prove,’ she said. ‘We must be able to prove who did this horrible injustice, and we cannot do that in this case.’
The investigation, which began in late February and continued through early June, included interviews with multiple family members.
Prosecutors say inconsistencies and the family’s shared living arrangements raised concerns of a coordinated story.
Key witnesses, including a younger sibling, were never made available for forensic interviews.
‘Some think we should’ve just rounded up everyone in the house and charged them all,’ Worthy said. ‘We are certainly not going to arrest and charge everyone that we think are responsible – that must be backed up by evidence.’
Gideon was treated for 10 days at an animal hospital before moving to a foster home for continued care
Despite the disappointment, LaBonty and DAWG vow to continue fighting for animal abuse victims like Gideon.
‘I hope we obviously get prosecution for Gideon and not just a slap on the wrist,’ she said earlier in the investigation. ‘We have to be the voice for all the animals. It’s not just Gideon. Gideon’s just a small part of the story.’
For now, the case is closed – but the outrage isn’t.
‘This is serious,’ LaBonty said. ‘And the system failed him.’
