Amanda Hergenreder Faces Legal Trouble After Taking Dog

Amanda Hergenreder thought she was rescuing a dog. Now, she faces criminal charges. The Michigan veterinarian took a dog from a homeless man. She brought it to her clinic, treated it, and kept it for four months. She calls it saving an animal. The court calls it theft.

Chris Hamilton, the dog’s rightful owner, says he just wants his dog back. He has had Vinny for 15 years. He says they have been through everything together. Losing him feels like losing a part of himself.

Kent County prosecutors see this as a clear case of larceny. They say Hergenreder had no right to take the dog. They argue ownership was never in question. If convicted, she could spend up to 93 days in jail. Jury selection begins on March 6.

Amanda Hergenreder Says She Acted in the Dog’s Best Interest

Hergenreder discovered the dog in November. She says he looked weak and unhealthy. Hergenreder says he needed medical attention. She called the police. She spoke with a coffee shop worker. Then, she took the dog and left.

Hamilton tells a different story. He says he left Vinny tied to his truck while he went inside a gas station. When he returned, the dog was gone. A worker told him a woman had cut the rope and driven off.

Amanda Hergenreder’s Attorney Defends Her Decision

Miles Greengard, Hergenreder’s lawyer, argues she did the right thing. He says Hamilton did not license the dog. Greengard says Hergenreder spent $3,000 on medical care. He questions why she should return a dog she saved.

Greengard says this case is complicated. He says the vet acted with good intentions. Greengard says the court must consider the dog’s well-being. He says a neglected dog deserves care.

Amanda Hergenreder and the Legal Battle Over Biggby’s Future

Hamilton says this is not about money. He says Vinny is his family. Hamilton says he never neglected him. He believes he is the only rightful owner.

Prosecutors say ownership matters. They say Hergenreder had no legal right to take the dog. They say it does not matter how much money she spent. The case will be decided in court.