Michigan Animal Lover Who Tried to Protect Dog From Violent Neighbor Beaten to Death With Pipe By Owner: Reports

Bobby Cavanaugh

A animal lover who tried to stop a neighbor from abusing his dog on Christmas Eve in Michigan was beaten to death with a pipe by the man who has a history of violence, according to reports.

Police found a man, identified as 60-year-old Bobby Cavanaugh of Madison Heights, unresponsive on the ground when they responded to the scene Tuesday evening, WXYZ reported.

Cavanaugh was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

HIs sister, Jane Thompson, told the station that Bobby was well known in the neighborhood north of Detroit for protecting animals.

"A life that was cut short and it was brutal," she said.

Rebecca Spencer, a neighbor, said Cavanaugh was killed while trying to stop a man from beating a dog, pointing out that her neighbor was the type of guy who would "run into a burning house to get a guinea pig."

"I believe it was a 'you're not going to tell me how to raise my dog' situation," Spencer told WXYZ.

Rodney Beasley, 68, was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon, ClickonDetroit reported.

Cavanaugh's family learned that Beasley had served 20 years in prison for a major crime and another 10 years for a different crime.

Cavanaugh's sister, writing on her brother's GoFundMe page, said Beasley should never have been freed from prison.

"Bobby was beaten to death with a pipe. this man is a repeated felon, and has been released from two different long term prison sentences," Thompson said.

"Bobby had a heart of gold and would do whatever he could to help the community in any way that he could and would never ask for a penny," she said.

Police said Cavanaugh's death is still being investigated and they will present the case to the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office, which may file additional charges.