Authorities in Hibbing, Minnesota have arrested a local man, Trevor Michael Ross, on serious charges of animal cruelty following disturbing reports of alleged abuse to his young dog. The arrest, which took place on April 4, 2025, comes after multiple witnesses reportedly stepped forward to share harrowing accounts of the dog’s mistreatment.

Ross, 35, faces one felony count of animal torture and a misdemeanor count for deprivation of food or shelter. Allegations against him include throwing his recently acquired Great Dane/Mastiff puppy off his back porch and taking extreme measures to silence the dog’s cries of distress, including reportedly wrapping it in a cushion.

The ordeal began on April 1, when a concerned citizen notified the Hibbing Police about witnessing Ross allegedly abusing the puppy. The witness claimed to have seen Ross throw the dog, prompting the animal to yelp in pain. Disturbingly, the reporting party expressed fear that the puppy would succumb to its injuries from the alleged incident.

Responses from the police indicated a swift investigation after initial reports. Officers arrived at Ross’s residence late that evening, finding no one home, but they spoke with two women who said they had come to rescue the dog, believing it had suffered a broken leg at Ross’s hands. The women alleged that a young boy, a friend of the family, had witnessed Ross’s abusive behavior.

On April 2, police took the boy’s statement, in which he described witnessing Ross holding the puppy down by its throat in an alleged act of strangulation, leaving the dog gasping for breath. The boy further noted that, on a visit to the home a week prior, he apparently observed the puppy struggling to walk and trembling.

When authorities revisited Ross’s home the following day, they confronted him about the dog’s well-being. Witnesses reportedly described the puppy as emaciated, with visible ribs and a spine that stood out against its thin skin. When officers called the dog, it was said to have been too weak to respond, raising further alarms about its condition.

Responding to the officers’ inquiries, Ross allegedly claimed the dog had been injured from a fall caused by a friend. However, he reportedly did not address the allegations of abuse directly. Following the home’s inspection, the dog was taken by police to the Mesaba Animal Hospital, where a veterinarian reportedly expressed shock at its state.

The veterinarian’s examination revealed severe malnourishment, a fracture in the dog’s hind leg, bruising on its head, and even a potential case of intervertebral disc disease. X-rays later discovered additional, unhealed fractures that would necessitate surgical intervention.

As of now, Trevor Michael Ross remains in custody without bail. The case has drawn considerable attention from animal protection advocates and law enforcement alike, who express a commitment to pursuing justice for the powerless puppy at the center of this troubling incident. Investigations are ongoing as authorities gather more information from witnesses and medical personnel involved in the case.