A Michigan man has tragically been beaten to death after allegedly intervening in an attack on a dog by a neighbour. The victim, 60-year-old Robert ‘Bobby’ Cavanaugh of Madison Heights, was found unresponsive outside a home on the 26000 block of Dequindre Road, south of E. 11 Mile Road, on Christmas Eve. Police responded to the scene at around 7:40 pm, where Cavanaugh was discovered with blunt force trauma. Despite emergency treatment, he later died in hospital, as per The Mirror US.”Found Mr. Cavanaugh unresponsive and bleeding,” said Madison Heights Police officer David Koehler. “The fire department tried life-saving measures, transported him to hospital where he was pronounced deceased,” he added.“Everybody loved Bobby. He was just that kind of guy. He was funny.” said his sister, Jane Thompson, grieving the loss of a life cut short in such a brutal way.“A life that was cut short and it was brutal,” she added.Witnesses claim Cavanaugh died after trying to protect a dog from being abused. Madison Heights Police Lt. David Koehler confirmed an altercation had occurred, leading to Cavanaugh’s injuries. While the full details remain unclear, a man has been arrested in connection with the incident. Neighbour Rebecca Spencer, who described Cavanaugh as a lover of animals, added, “He lost his life over a dog… that’s who he was. He’d run into a burning house to save a guinea pig.” Spencer believes the attack stemmed from a disagreement over how the dog should be raised.The Madison Heights Police Department assured there was no ongoing threat to the community. The next step in the investigation will see the Oakland County Medical Examiner’s Office determine the exact cause of death, with possible charges under consideration.A fundraiser set up by Cavanaugh’s sister, Jane Thompson, has already raised over $15,297. The page, titled “Justice for Bobby,” reads, “My youngest brother Bobby was murdered on Christmas Eve… Bobby was beaten to death with a pipe after trying to save a dog from being beaten by a man.”The Madison Heights Police Department extended its condolences to the family, stating, “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victim and his family during this tragic time.”
Michigan man beaten to death while saving dog from abusive neighbour
