In Pontiac, deputies got a call that a 47-year-old woman was overdosing on drugs. When they got there, they found that part of her ear had been chewed off, possibly by a dog.
She is being treated at the hospital for that overdose and is listed in stable condition. Doctors are still trying to figure out what she took that caused her to pass out. Meanwhile, the dog's owner is speaking out saying her dog did nothing wrong.
"He only has one eye on the right side. He don't have a left eye, so they didn't want the dog. They were just going to throw him out to the streets, and I said, 'No. I'll take the dog,'" said Barbara Sparks.
She rescued Polo in May. Her house feels empty without the pitter patter of paws. His food bowl sits empty, a constant reminder he isn't there. Instead, the Shih Tzu is being held in quarantine at the Oakland County Animal Shelter following a bizarre incident at Sparks' apartment.
"He didn't chew on her ear. He didn't nibble on her ear. He got food here or he'll play with me. He didn't nibble on her ear," Sparks said.
This past Saturday, Sparks said her neighbor, Marietta Mitchell, came to her apartment. She was high and passed out. When Mitchell's father couldn't get her up, she let her stay.
"She went to sleep, so I said, 'Mr. Mitchell, what you do is let her sleep it off' because I didn't know what she was high on because I don't get high," said Sparks.
She claims she was home the entire time her neighbor was passed out. Most of the time Polo was with her, but she said her dog licked her neighbor, but he didn't gnaw on her.
"He kept licking on her to try to see if she'll wake up. She did not wake up," Sparks said.
Mitchell's family got worried when she wouldn't wake up and they noticed the injury on her ear. She was transported to St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Pontiac, but Sparks claims the injury wasn't caused by her pooch. It was already there.
Even neighbors are coming to the little dog's defense.
"She had a slit where I'm saying she can't wear post earrings. She's got to wear clip on earrings because her ears are split," said Sparks.
"Polo is not a dog that attack people, and all the kids play with the dog," said Jalaiah Hughley.
"He really is like a nice dog," said Shawntell Evans.
We did reach out to the Mitchell family Monday evening to try to get their take, but they say no doubt this dog did take off a part of their daughter's ear. They declined to go on camera. Meanwhile, they are just concentrating on her getting better and surviving that overdose.
Polo will be quarantined for ten days. As long as he does not have rabies, he will be allowed to go back to his owner. She will have to pay several hundred dollars in fees to get the dog out.
Saturday, February 23 2013 11:33 PM EST2013-02-24 04:33:03 GMT
An AK-47, three other long guns and two handguns are now off the streets of Detroit. The weapons were confiscated by Wayne County Sherrif's deputies during a raid at a suspected drug house.
An AK-47, three other long guns and two handguns are now off the streets of Detroit. The weapons were confiscated by Wayne County Sherrif's deputies during a raid at a suspected drug house.
Saturday, February 23 2013 8:56 PM EST2013-02-24 01:56:59 GMT
Michigan's road to recovery could take a big hit if congress allows $85 million in cuts to the defense department. Tens of thousands of jobs could be at risk in our state, especially in Macomb County.n.
Michigan's road to recovery could take a big hit if congress allows $85 million in cuts to the defense department. Tens of thousands of jobs could be at risk in our state, especially in Macomb County.
Monday, February 18 2013 6:38 PM EST2013-02-18 23:38:52 GMT
A mother is pained beyond words. Her three-year-old daughter was killed in a crash Sunday on Detroit's west side less than a block from her house. The chaotic scene was visible from her front door.
A mother is pained beyond words. Her three-year-old daughter was killed in a crash Sunday on Detroit's west side less than a block from her house. The chaotic scene was visible from her front door.
Sunday, February 17 2013 11:16 PM EST2013-02-18 04:16:14 GMT
Thick smoke and orange flames could be seen shooting out of a long-abandoned home on Detroit's northwest side late Sunday. Detroit fire fighters worked in the freezing cold temperatures to contain the
A Detroit woman finds her house damaged after a suspected arsonist sets the vacant home next door on fire.
Saturday, February 16 2013 8:15 PM EST2013-02-17 01:15:29 GMT
One person is dead, several others are injured after a day filled with chain reaction crashes on Metro Detroit freeways. The deadly crash took place on I-96 westbound at Wixom Road.
One person is dead, several others are injured after a day filled with chain reaction crashes on Metro Detroit freeways. The deadly crash took place on I-96 westbound at Wixom Road. So far, no information has been released about the victim.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 1:36 PM EDT2013-05-22 17:36:39 GMT
Innuendo, sexual advances and an overnight stay in Lansing -- a politician's former aide claims he had to endure a nightmare on the job. Now a sexual harassment lawsuit has been filed against Rep. Brian Banks.
Innuendo, sexual advances and an overnight stay in Lansing -- a politician's former aide claims he had to endure a nightmare on the job. Now a sexual harassment lawsuit has been filed against Rep. Brian Banks.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:56 PM EDT2013-05-23 01:56:23 GMT
Children were literally screaming for peace. Elementary school students at Cesar Chavez Academy in southwest Detroit spoke out for themselves -- stop bullying and stop the violence.
Children were literally screaming for peace. Elementary school students at Cesar Chavez Academy in southwest Detroit spoke out for themselves -- stop bullying and stop the violence.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 6:46 PM EDT2013-05-22 22:46:26 GMT
Bugs are important to our environment and can even tell us about our water quality. That's why dozens on local students have been taking part in bug hunts.
Bugs are important to our environment and can even tell us about our water quality. That's why dozens on local students have been taking part in bug hunts.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:44 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:44:19 GMT
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing two dozen and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing two dozen and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:20 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:20:38 GMT
Neighbors said he threatened them with a shotgun, then opened fire wounding two people. Now one of the victims has said he's angry the man accused of pulling the trigger is already out of jail.
Neighbors said he threatened them with a shotgun, then opened fire wounding two people. Now one of the victims has said he's angry the man accused of pulling the trigger is already out of jail.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:39 PM EDT2013-05-23 02:39:42 GMT
The Republicans in Lansing are pushing a new bill that would base teacher salaries on student performance. But will merit pay really help kids get a better education? Some say the answer is no.
The Republicans in Lansing are pushing a new bill that would base teacher salaries on student performance. But will merit pay really help kids get a better education? Some say the answer is no.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:07 PM EDT2013-05-23 02:07:10 GMT
13 dogs were rescued from a house on Ewers in southwest Detroit. The three most emaciated dogs were taken to the VCA in St. Clair Shores. They are being held in isolation for at least a week.
13 dogs were rescued from a house on Ewers in southwest Detroit. The three most emaciated dogs were taken to the VCA in St. Clair Shores. They are being held in isolation for at least a week and being treated and screened for diseases.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:57 PM EDT2013-05-23 00:57:50 GMT
Prosecutors have now filed charges against Myron Williams, a next door neighbor to a woman found strangled in Grosse Pointe Park, but the counts do not include murder.
Prosecutors have now filed charges against Myron Williams, a next door neighbor to a woman found strangled in Grosse Pointe Park, but the counts do not include murder.