Chicago animal abuse: Man charged with animal torture, cruelty after Edgewater community seeks justice for abused dog
Share this @internewscast.com

CHICAGO (WLS) — A community on the city’s North Side helped find justice for an abused dog.

A suspect is now facing felony charges.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

It was almost a year ago, when Brianne Coleman was walking her dog Zeus in Edgewater’s Berger Park when Zeus suddenly stopped.

“Zeus was highly distracted by the rocks,” Coleman remarked. “I encouraged him with a look like, ‘Come on, buddy. Let’s move.’ But he simply glanced at me, implying, ‘No, you come here.’

Nestled in the rocks was a 6-month-old lab in very bad shape.

“And I was shocked at first,” Coleman said. “I’m like, ‘Come here dog, are you okay? Are you okay?’ And he just sat there and he didn’t move.”

She took the dog she named Rocky to a vet to get help, where they found out his hips were shattered, and the rest of his body was even worse.

“All of his ribs were mending at various stages,” Coleman explained. “His knees and back legs were severely broken… And he was just six months old. He endured this suffering for a significant time period.”

Coleman engaged with the Edgewater community and launched a GoFundMe campaign, successfully gathering $21,000 to address Rocky’s medical expenses before she secured a new home for him with a couple in Chicago. However, she continued her quest to locate the person responsible for the abuse.

“I wasn’t going to just let this happen, like not do anything,” Coleman said. “And so I started asking neighbors.”

It turns out the dog’s original owner, lived in Coleman’s building, so her and neighbors tracked down surveillance video of the owner with Rocky.

“They had video footage of him leaving the service elevator with the dog and coming back a few minutes later without him,” Coleman said.

Last month, Chicago police arrested 29-year-old Benjamin Wilkins, who now faces felony charges for animal torture and aggravated cruelty to animals.

Coleman said this is all thanks to the community who rallied around Rocky.

“It was from this community, they showed up and showed out,” Coleman said. “And I have never I have never been part of such a beautiful community of people.”

Coleman said Rocky has 90% of his mobility back and that the money left over from the GoFundMe was donated back to local dog organizations.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Trump praises Mayor Adams' re-election bid — and threatens Zohran Mamdani with arrest if he interferes with ICE

Trump Applauds Mayor Adams’ Re-Election Campaign and Warns Zohran Mamdani Against Obstructing ICE

President Donald Trump expressed approval for New York City Mayor Eric Adams’…
Sen. Chris Murphy Says Quiet Part Out Loud About Democrat Socialist Mamdani and His Party

Sen. Chris Murphy Publicly Acknowledges Unspoken Truths About Democratic Socialist Mamdani and His Party

During an interview with CNN’s Kasie Hunt, Murphy was questioned about the…
Please make sure the 'big bill' doesn't let Big Tech destroy US

Ensure Major Legislation Prevents Big Tech from Harming the U.S.

We’re not entirely sure that Senator Marsha Blackburn’s notable intervention will be…
CPS layoffs news: Chicago Public Schools eliminating jobs, including crossing guards to close projected $734M budget shortfall

Chicago Public Schools Job Cuts: Positions, Including Crossing Guards, Reduced to Address $734 Million Budget Deficit

CHICAGO (WLS) — Chicago Public Schools faces a huge deficit that must…
Lululemon accuses Costco in lawsuit of selling 'unauthorized' versions of its $128 pants

Lululemon Files Lawsuit Against Costco Over Alleged ‘Unauthorized’ Copies of $128 Pants

Lululemon is suing Costco, alleging that the discount wholesaler is selling knockoffs…
Luckin Coffee opens first US stores in NYC

Luckin Coffee debuts in the United States with new NYC locations

Luckin Coffee teased the arrival of the New York City stores in…
UFchild abuse pediatrician to resign following controversial custody case

UF Pediatrician Specializing in Child Abuse to Step Down After Disputed Custody Case

Dr. Barbara Knox is set to step down from her role at…
Senate Republicans passes Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill' after a turbulent all-night session

Senate Republicans Approve Trump’s Signature Bill Following Intense Overnight Session

Senate Republicans successfully pushed President Donald Trump’s significant tax breaks and spending…
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker selects Christian Mitchell as running mats for 3rd term bid

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker Chooses Christian Mitchell as Running Mate for Third Term Campaign

CHICAGO (WLS) — Governor JB Pritzker has announced Christian Mitchell will be…
Migrants in a small boat taking a selfie while crossing the English Channel.

Record Number of 20,000 Illegal Migrants Cross the English Channel to Britain This Year

BRITAIN’s small boat crisis has reached unprecedented levels, with nearly 20,000 migrants…
AI provision in 'Big Beautiful Bill' scrapped by a vote of 99-1

AI Provision Removed From ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ in Overwhelming 99-1 Vote

State and local lawmakers and AI safety advocates argued that the rule…
Beach scene with orange barriers and a white sheet near the water.

English Teacher Killed on Italian Beach by Bulldozer Driven by Drugged Operator While Collecting Shell

AN ENGLISH teacher has been crushed to death by a bulldozer driver…