SAGINAW, MI — A Saginaw man has been charged with a “crime against nature,” that of sexually abusing a dog.
According to charging documents, 26-year-old Zachary J. Wittkopp on Dec. 12 committed an “abominable and detestable crime against nature with a canine dog.” As a result, prosecutors charged Wittkopp with the rare count of sodomy, which is punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
The Michigan State Police began investigating Wittkopp in March after receiving information that he was allegedly looking at footage online of children being sexually abused.
Authorities issued a warrant for Wittkopp June 28. MSP troopers located and arrested him July 9. They also collected digital evidence from him.
Police have not disclosed the current status of the dog.
The next day, Saginaw County District Judge Terry L. Clark arraigned Wittkopp on the sodomy charge, four counts of aggravated possession of child sexually abusive material and one count of possession of child sexually abusive material.
Clark set Wittkopp’s bond at $47,500 cash-surety or 10 percent. He remains jailed as of July 15 but if he posts bond, he is to have no contact with minors or animals.
Wittkopp is to appear for a preliminary examination on July 31.
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