Detroit, MI

Left out in brutal cold, dog ‘laid down and died,’ Detroit rescue group says

Published

10 months ago

January 23, 2025

Press Room

Left out in brutal cold, dog ‘laid down and died,’ Detroit rescue group says

Charlie, too weak to survive the sub-zero temperatures, froze to death.

A rescue group found the collared, tawny-colored male dog’s body in the Detroit snow.

“He walked until he couldn’t,” Detroit Dog Rescue’s Executive Director Kristina Millman-Rinaldi posted on social media Wednesday, retracing its last steps by following its tracks. Charlie stumbled, she added, feeble from the cold and “laid down and died.”

People have been finding companionship in pets — particularly dogs — for thousands of years; but judging by the comments on Millman-Rinaldi’s post, some Michiganders now are struggling to understand why a pet was left out in the cold.

Recently, reports of endangered and neglected dogs have emerged as millions of people in the Midwest and East Coast cope with temperatures so low that forecasters have urged residents to stay indoors.

To protect children, many school districts closed for at least a couple of days.

As for pets, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals urged owners to safeguard them by making sure they, too, are out of the cold and not left outside, which in some communities is a crime.

The cold weather earlier this week, Millman-Rinaldi said, likely stopped Charlie’s heart and took his breath — and life — away. As tragic as the dog’s end was, the rescuer speculated it likely was “relief to the pain” the cold caused its body.

Protecting a ‘best friend’

Detroit Dog Rescue, a no-kill shelter, seeks to save animals.

Dogs, after all, are “man’s best friend,” a phrase that dates to the late 1700s. Frederick the Great, the King of Prussia, is said to have referred to one of his Italian Greyhounds as his best friend.

French philosopher Voltaire concluded nature gave the dog to man for defense and pleasure. Of all animals, he wrote in 1764, the dog is the most faithful, calling it: “le meilleur ami que puisse avoir l’homme.”

In an 1870 court case in Warrensburg, Missouri, a lawyer, George Vest, representing a farmer whose pet, Old Drum, was killed, made an emotional plea to the jury, explaining a dog is “the one absolutely unselfish friend that a man can have in this selfish world.”

The farmer, who was seeking damages, won the lawsuit.

Almost a century later, in 1958, a statue of the black and tan hound was cast with the support of contributions from dog lovers everywhere and erected outside the courthouse where the case was tried.

And in 2007, real estate magnate Leona Helmsley died leaving $12 million to her dog, Trouble, proving that a dog could be a woman’s best friend, too. Helmsley reportedly also dedicated other assets, worth $5 billion to $8 billion, to the care of more dogs.

‘I’m not leaving them’

Still, over the years, plenty of other people have neglected their best friends.

Millman-Rinaldi mentioned she also saw dogs at a southwest Detroit residence in the cold. She described how whining, freezing animals held up their padded paws, “trying to get out of the cold.”

Four dogs recently perished in and around Indianapolis because they lacked shelter and warmth, Newsweek reported. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals documented that at least three dogs were saved from extreme cold situations.

One dog, PETA said, was freed from a vehicle that broke through the ice on a Minnesota lake; a second, was pulled out of an icy Maryland pond, and a third, in Massachusetts, was rescued after getting stuck on a beaver dam.

The Humane Society of the United States, based in Washington, D.C., warned that dogs and cats — despite the “misconception that the fur on their backs” will protect them — suffer from winter cold.

The society added that leaving pets outside in extremely cold weather is cruel.

As for Charlie, Millman-Rinaldi said the rescue organization lifted the dog’s lifeless body out of the snow, gave it a name, and then, a dignified goodbye. But, the executive director added, the dog deserved better.

“Oh, sweet boy, I’m so sorry,” Millman-Rinaldi said in her post, explaining why, in part, she and others picked up the frozen bodies and put them to rest: “I’m not leaving them for kids to see on their snow day.”

Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 or fwitsil@freepress.com.

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Detroit, MI

Lions-Cowboys preview: Will Dallas’ strengths overpower Detroit problem spots?

Published

5 hours ago

December 2, 2025

Press Room

Lions-Cowboys preview: Will Dallas’ strengths overpower Detroit problem spots?

The Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys are at very different levels of momentum, but the point stands that they are each in need of getting a win this week.

The Lions are at risk of missing the playoffs after a loss to the Green Bay Packers that has them 7-5 and trading wins and losses for eight straight games.

The Cowboys, meanwhile, have won three straight including victories over the two teams in last year’s Super Bowl, surging back into the postseason conversation at 6-5-1.

There’s still a path for each team to get into the playoffs and that gets much clearer with a win at Ford Field on Thursday.

Here’s a preview of the Lions’ Week 14 opponent, the Dallas Cowboys:

Three players to know

Giving CeeDee Lamb a solid wide receiver partner was needed, but George Pickens becoming one of the top receivers in the NFL was not necessarily what was expected this season after being traded from the Steeler. Lamb’s still been very productive, despite missing three games due to an ankle injury, while Pickens has been electric in the Dallas offense. He’s second in the NFL with 1,142 yards on 73 catches with eight touchdowns. He’s also tied for the league lead in contested catches with 18, according to Pro Football Focus. This will be the first time Pickens faces the Lions in his career and he’ll keep the Detroit secondary busy.
A name you might’ve heard linked to the Lions during the pre-draft process last season in edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku has quickly become a mainstay of the Dallas defense. The unit struggled heavily early on this season, but after trading Micah Parsons the Packers, it opened the door for Ezeiruaku to get snaps early and he’s proven to be a capable defender out of the gate. The Boston College product has the top defensive grade on the team with an 81.2 on PFF, 30 total tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble. He’s credited with 18 defensive stops, second for Dallas, and fourth in pressures with 28. While the interior D-line gets most of the attention for its star power with Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark, Ezeiruaku is making a case as the Defensive Rookie of the Year from the edge spot.
Coinciding with Dallas’ improved defense the past few weeks has been the return of linebacker DeMarvion Overshown from injury. He’s lost the majority of his first two seasons due to different significant injuries, but returned in Week 11 after tearing three ligaments in his knee less than a year ago. He brings a huge motor to the front seven, very similar to what the Lions get out of Jack Campbell, and seems to be a huge connective piece for the unit. Overshown should be all over the field and one of the guys the Lions will always have to be aware of on Thursday.

Quarterback corner

Dak Prescott has always been one of the more explosive quarterbacks in the NFL, but between injuries, personnel issues and years where the Cowboys don’t have any semblance of a run game, things have been inconsistent.

After getting his new weapon in Pickens and running back Javonte Williams trending to be a 1,000-yard rusher by the end of Thursday’s game, it’s opened up Prescott for a very strong season.

He played in just eight games last season, but Prescott’s been available all 12 games for Dallas, throwing for 3,261 yards on 69.3% completion, 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

Prescott’s a little more turnover-prone this season compared to some of his top years and he’s taken 17 sacks, but the production is hard to contain.

He’s thrown for 300-plus yards in four games this season, including the last two, and sits third in the NFL for passing grade this season on PFF, trailing former Lion Matthew Stafford and the Packers’ Jordan Love.

Keys to success

Plug up the interior run game: The Cowboys had one of the worst rushing defenses in the NFL through Week 8 — and it still ranks poorly — but the past few weeks their unit has taken off. As Clark and Williams have changed the dynamic for the interior defensive line and it led to a pair of dominant performances against the Las Vegas Raiders and Philadelphia Eagles, allowing 90 total rushing yards on 30 carries across the matchup. The Kansas City Chiefs had a bit more luck rushing for 119 yards last week, but a lot of that damage was done on quarterback scrambles and end-around plays rather than trying to bound up the middle. The Lions are a team that prides themselves on winning through the O-line and the run game, but the Cowboys are proving to be one of the tougher teams at establishing the ground game against lately.
Take the points: In contrast to the Lions, the Cowboys aren’t a particularly aggressive fourth down team. They go for it some here or there out of necessity, but convert just 50% of the time. When the option to get points is on the table, they typically do so behind one of the best kickers in the NFL, Brandon Aubrey, whose range goes up to 65 yards. The Cowboys find themselves in a lot of close games where every point matters, so if the opportunity presents itself to get points, Dallas is best suited to take them.

One big question

Will the Cowboys’ strengths overpower the Lions’ injury-plagued counterparts?

The matchup is incredibly rough for the Lions because of specifically where their injuries are heaviest at this point — interior offensive line and secondary.

The Lions are without left guard Christian Mahogany and there’s still uncertainty whether center Graham Glasgow is good to go, meaning the interior O-line could be made up of rookie Tate Ratledge, Kayode Awosika and Trystan Colon again.

The unit struggled last week with the Packers and just lacks experience like the Lions have had over the last few years. Going up against veterans in Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark is going to be no easy feat for Detroit’s guard and center trio.

That spells a tough time for setting up running back Jahmyr Gibbs with some gaps to run through and puts quarterback Jared Goff at risk of operating without a good pocket, which is crucial to success.

On the other side of the ball, the Lions continue to deal with injuries to their secondary as safety Kerby Joseph is still trying to make his return after missing six straight games and cornerback Terrion Arnold is now officially out for the season.

The Cowboys have the top passing attack in the NFL behind star receivers in George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb, not to mention help from tight end Jake Ferguson.

The Lions had their memorable “Legion of Whom” game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but the group hasn’t quite lived up to that weekly and some aren’t with the active roster anymore.

It’s certainly not to say the Lions can’t come away with a win on Thursday, but when the opposing team’s strength are what Detroit is weakest at in this moment, it makes for a big question mark heading into the game.

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Detroit, MI

Detroit Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield seeking residents’ input on community issues at first town hall

Published

17 hours ago

December 2, 2025

Press Room

Detroit Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield seeking residents’ input on community issues at first town hall

Julia Avant

December 1, 2025 / 11:31 PM EST
/ CBS Detroit

After making history as the first woman elected mayor of Detroit, Mary Sheffield held her first town hall ahead of taking office to get the residents’ insight on community issues.

For the first time, a mayor is taking thoughts from the community and turning them into potential policies. And those residents will have a say on what Sheffield will focus on in her first 100 days in office.

“The most important thing for me is not making history, it’s about delivering and executing for the residents of this city,” Sheffield said.

Sheffield and her team have already formed over a dozen committees focusing on topics like affordable housing and public safety.

At a first-of-its-kind community engagement event at Marygrove Conservancy on Monday night, anyone in Detroit had the opportunity to share their thoughts and ideas and be a part of the solution.

“For a long time, from what I heard from residents, they have felt a little disconnected. I think this being for the first start for residents to be engaged with the mayor-elect is pretty impressive; it’s necessary,” said resident Jai Singletary.

While some residents appreciated the opportunity to have a seat at the table, they want to see what will actually be done.

Overall, Sheffield says she has received a lot of feedback. While she and her administration plan to hold more gatherings like this one, she also welcomes everyone and anyone to join her team.

“We have a lot of people who are eager to provide and step up and serve Detroit, and now it’s about getting the best cabinet,” said Sheffield.

The mayor-elect plans to hold similar events in the future and welcomes everyone to leave feedback at any time on the city’s website.

A citywide survey will be sent out to every resident in Detroit to get a consensus of what the community wants.

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Detroit, MI

Detroit Lions start evaluation clock on veteran tight end

Published

1 day ago

December 1, 2025

Press Room

Detroit Lions start evaluation clock on veteran tight end

The Detroit Lions have started the injury evaluation clock on veteran tight end Shane Zylstra, who returned to practice on Monday.

Zylstra suffered an ankle injury during the team’s Week 2 game against the Chicago Bears and has been on injured reserve since. For most of the year, the Lions were able to get by without Zylstra, as he was the team’s TE3 behind Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright.

However, LaPorta is now most likely out for the season after back surgery, and Wright’s season is in danger of being cut short, as well. Wright suffered a trachea injury against the New York Giants, hasn’t practiced since, and coach Dan Campbell noted that it could be a long-term injury, as they await more test results and second opinions.

That’s all to say that Zylstra’s return is coming at a good time for the Lions. Last week, they relied on Ross Dwelley, Anthony Firkser, and undrafted rookie Zach Horton to fill their tight end vacancies.

It’s unclear how quickly Zylstra can get up to speed and in football shape, but if he can go, he gives the Lions a player with 31 games of experience in this offensive system, including three starts for the team. A former wide receiver, Zylstra is definitely more of an offensive weapon than a blocker—he had four touchdown catches in 2022. But he’s also someone who can contribute on special teams, should the Lions need more juice in that aspect of their game. Since landing in Detroit in 2021, Zylstra has logged a total of 361 special teams snaps.

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