Grand Traverse Man Sentenced for Neglect That Killed Dog Mighty Mac

Zachary Schraufnagel, 25, walked out of a Grand Traverse County courtroom on March 12 with 30 days in jail and 18 months of probation after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor count of abandoning or cruelty toward an animal — a sentence Judge Robert Cooney imposed above the state's own sentencing guidelines.

The case centered on Mighty Mac, a dog whose neglect was discovered in 2024. Investigators say Mighty Mac died from the long-term physical impacts of that neglect after a medical team and staff at Cherryland Humane Society in Traverse City worked to save him.

Cooney did not mince words from the bench. "A dog doesn't become this emaciated unless the abuse goes on for a substantial period of time," he said. The judge also cited Schraufnagel's demeanor as a factor in the above-guidelines sentence. "The other reason I think some measure of punishment is called for is because the defendant does not appear remorseful or apologetic."

County attorney Kyle Attwood pressed the same point. "Abuse allegations aside — just looking at the condition of the dog, how you ignore that?" Attwood said. "Leave that dog with somebody else, leave the dog to basically starve to death and suffer and be subjected to an extreme amount of pain?"

Schraufnagel's attorney, Matthew Connolly, drew a line between neglect and abuse. "He will take responsibility for his neglect," Connolly said. "That's not in question — but the abuse portion of it, he does not take responsibility for the physical abuse."

Schraufnagel was one of two defendants charged. Co-defendant Sierra Haggerty, 26, also pleaded guilty on February 27 to the same misdemeanor charge and had her sentencing scheduled for March 16.

The judge left open the possibility of Schraufnagel paying restitution to Cherryland Humane Society, likely amounting to the costs the organization incurred caring for Mighty Mac. Other reports stated he was ordered to pay restitution; the exact amount has not been confirmed.

Animal advocates who helped care for Mighty Mac packed the courtroom wearing T-shirts in his memory. A plaque and artwork hang on the wall at Cherryland Humane Society's Traverse City facility as a permanent memorial to him.

Naomi Lawson-Pobuda, communications director for Cherryland Humane Society, said she hoped the conviction carries a broader message. "To people in the future, maybe they'll think twice before abandoning or abusing or neglecting an animal or a pet, and then they'll be considered like a member of their family, and not just like a piece of furniture in their home."

The humane society urged anyone with concerns about an animal's treatment to report them before it is too late.