Last Updated on March 4, 2025 by Dogs Vets
On a cold November day in 2024, Dr. Amanda Hergenreder, a veterinarian from Millington, Michigan, was in Grand Rapids for a professional conference when she encountered a scene that stirred her instincts. Outside a Biggby coffee shop, a 16-year-old pit bull mix was tethered to a truck, appearing lifeless.
“No energy, very lethargic,” she later told WOOD-TV. Believing the dog was in distress, she acted swiftly—contacting local police and an animal shelter before cutting the rope and driving the dog two hours to her clinic. There, she invested $3,000 in medical care, treating a severe urinary tract infection and removing a rotten tooth. Nearly four months later, the dog she named Biggby is thriving, with “the light coming back in his eyes,” she said.
But for Chris Hamilton, a 57-year-old Grand Rapids resident experiencing homelessness, that dog—known to him as Vinny—isn’t just a pet; he’s family. Hamilton had left Vinny tied to the truck for about 45 minutes while running an errand to a nearby gas station. When he returned, coffee shop employees delivered crushing news: a woman in a van had taken his dog.
“I just want my dog back,” Hamilton said, his voice breaking. “I had my dog 15 years. Never neglected him and, you know, we loved each other. I mean, I felt like I lost part of my body after that.”
Dr. Hergenreder’s refusal to return the dog has escalated the situation into a legal battle. Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker has charged her with misdemeanor larceny, a crime punishable by up to 93 days in jail. “You don’t have a right to just take something because you feel something’s wrong,” Becker told The Associated Press. “People have a very big attachment to their animals. No matter where you are in life, this is something that’s important to an individual.”
Hergenreder’s attorney, Miles Greengard, defends her actions as a moral imperative. He argues that Hamilton’s failure to license the dog or address its medical needs weakens his claim to ownership. “Mr. Hamilton didn’t even take such basic steps as licensing the dog,” Greengard said. “Now he expects a benevolent doctor to give Biggby the medical treatment he’s been denied and needs moving forward, and then give the dog back?” Greengard insists that returning Biggby to Hamilton could jeopardize the dog’s health, framing Hergenreder as a protector, not a thief.
The Legal and Ethical Crossroads
With jury selection slated for March 6, 2025, the case hinges on a central question: Does an animal’s welfare trump an owner’s rights? Michigan law treats pets as property, making Hergenreder’s actions theft in the prosecutor’s eyes.
Yet her veterinary expertise—and the oath to prioritize animal well-being—complicates the narrative. Hamilton’s 15-year bond with Vinny is a powerful counterweight, his emotional plea resonating with anyone who’s loved a pet. Could he, with assistance, care for Vinny’s needs, or is Hergenreder’s intervention the only lifeline for an aging dog?
A Tale of Two Perspectives
- Dr. Hergenreder’s View: She saw a dog in crisis and used her skills to save it. Biggby’s recovery validates her choice, she believes, and returning him risks undoing that progress.
- Chris Hamilton’s View: Vinny is his companion of 15 years, a constant through hardship. He insists he never neglected him, and Hergenreder’s actions feel like a theft of his heart.
A Community Split
The incident has divided Grand Rapids. Animal welfare advocates hail Hergenreder as a hero, while pet owners stand by Hamilton, fiercely guarding the sanctity of their bonds. Local shelters have proposed solutions—like veterinary support for Hamilton if he regains custody—but no agreement has surfaced. As the trial looms, the courtroom will decide not just Hergenreder’s fate but also set a precedent for similar conflicts.
What’s Next?
For now, Biggby remains with Hergenreder, his health improving daily. Hamilton, meanwhile, holds onto hope, determined to reunite with Vinny. The jury’s verdict will determine whether this was a theft or a rescue—and where the line lies between compassion and ownership.
Source: US.News
