MICHIGAN

DNA clears St. Clair Twp. dog on death row

Associated Press

Port Huron — A Michigan dog who spent weeks on death row has returned home after DNA tests cleared him in the death of Vlad, a dog next door.

Jeb, a Belgian Malinois, was released to his owner Wednesday. Kenneth Job was emotional, saying his dog looks “awful skinny but he’s alive.”

Jeb was seen standing over Vlad’s body on Aug. 24 in St. Clair Township, 50 miles northeast of Detroit. Authorities said the Pomeranian’s injuries suggest he was picked up and shaken by a larger animal.

A judge ordered that Jeb be euthanized. But he also agreed to DNA tests on Vlad’s body as a last-ditch effort to keep Jeb from his death sentence. The result: No DNA from Jeb. DNA from both dogs was analyzed at the University of Florida.

The Port Huron Times Herald says Jeb’s owner has agreed to install an adequate fence.