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Suspect Not Jailed After Kicking Man’s Beloved Dog To Death

| Published on July 5, 2022

Alice the Jack Russell terrier had been Seattle resident John Hickey’s companion for nearly 14 years. But after Saturday, Hickey has no one left. 

Hickey told Q13 News that a man came running at him and his dog while on a walk, demanding he give the man his jacket. When Hickey threatened the man with pepper spray, the suspect kicked Alice in the middle of the street.

“I heard pounding of feet and I turned around and he was running full speed at us and I didn’t have time to really do anything,” Hickey told Q13 News. “I had her on the leash and he came running towards her, knocked me down and he kicked her so hard that she went up in the air and started hemorrhaging.”

Image: Screenshot via Fox 32 Chicago

Hickey, 67, said as soon as his beloved dog hit the concrete, it was clear that she didn’t have much time left. Minutes later, Alice died in his arms. 

“She thought everybody liked her and she was just proud of that,” Hickey said of Alice. “And the most horrible thing, when she died she gave me a look… just was like she was confused that anyone would do something like that to her.”

On Tuesday, a judge ultimately decided to release the 29-year-old suspect with no bail. He has not been formally charged. Seattle Police objected to the suspect’s release, saying his “escalating behavior will continue.”

Image: Screenshot via Fox 32 Chicago

Prosecutors called on the judge to charge the man with felony animal cruelty, but the judge ruled there was probable cause for second-degree animal cruelty, which is a misdemeanor.

Hickey is now in a wheelchair after the attack and is unsure what life will be like now that his lovable companion has passed away. He lives alone and says that Alice was always there for him when he needed her. 

“She got me through days when I literally don’t think I would’ve gotten up in the morning,” Hickey said. “Except I knew she needed me and she knew that I needed her.”

Image: Screenshot via Fox 32 Chicago

Hickey is devastated at the loss of his best friend and is mourning her death. It’s unclear whether the suspect will be brought on with any charges for the attack. 

One thing is for certain, though: Hickey is going to miss Alice more than anything.

“She would cuddle up and wrap her arms around my neck,” Hickey said. “She’s all I had. She was all I needed.”

H/T: Fox 32 Chicago
Featured Image: Screenshot via Fox 32 Chicago

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