Germantown Man Charged in Animal Cruelty

Herbert Allen Green | MCPD

A Germantown man faces three charges of animal cruelty after an arrest Thursday, Montgomery County police said Friday.

Herbert Allen Green, 75, of the 20900 block of Father Hurley Boulevard posted a $2,000 bond and was released, according to online court records.

Germantown police district and Animal Services Division officers responded to a call on April 24, for suspected animal cruelty, a police statement said. Once on scene, responding officers observed a dog identified as “Benji” — a small, neutered, male poodle-mix — that was bleeding from the head, lethargic and in need of immediate medical attention, police said.

Benji was taken to receive lifesaving care at a local veterinary hospital, police said. He was examined by a veterinary ophthalmologist who diagnosed recent blindness in both eyes caused by recent trauma, a condition which will be permanent, police said.

The dog is about 10 years old, according to Thomas Koenig, director of the Animal Services Division.

On May 7, investigators interviewed Green, when he admitted to striking the dog, police said. Green also said he was aware that Benji was injured, but did not provide him with the needed medical care, police said.

Green was charged with cruelly beating an animal, inflicting unnecessary suffering or pain on an animal, and failing to provide an animal with necessary veterinary care, while the animal is in a person’s charge or custody, police said.

Koenig said Benji has an owner; Green was the caretaker.

The dog will stay in the custody of Animal Services until he is no longer evidence in the case, he said.

“We’re taking care of it. He’s blind and has special needs,” Koenig said.

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