Chicago-Area Lawyer Living on Boat Charged in Great Dane Abuse

Deputies in Monroe County say video and witness accounts show Jack Edward Grewer, 54, forcefully yanking a 135-pound Great Dane by a choke-chain collar while living aboard a vessel at the Stock Island Yacht Club & Marina. Authorities allege the dog was lifted and then violently landed on its back on a hard surface. The incident, which deputies say occurred January 16, prompted a joint review by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and local SPCA investigators.

Sheriff’s deputies obtained a warrant and charged Grewer in connection with the alleged abuse after the SPCA reviewed footage and concluded the event constituted animal abuse. The law enforcement description provided by the sheriff’s office formed the basis for the warrant and subsequent criminal filing. SPCA investigators are also examining the dog for injuries and determining whether those injuries are reportable under state law.

Grewer is identified online as both a registered nurse and a personal-injury attorney practicing in Illinois. At the time of reporting, he was not listed in Monroe County jail records. Deputies and SPCA officials continue to gather evidence and interview witnesses as part of the ongoing investigation.

The case has local resonance in the Keys and at marina communities where boaters and residents share close quarters and frequent interactions. Animal welfare groups and residents often point to visible incidents as tests of enforcement and community standards. For Monroe County officials, this investigation highlights the role of the sheriff’s office and the SPCA in responding to allegations of cruelty and in determining when criminal charges and reportable injury findings are warranted.

From a governance perspective, the case underscores how local agencies coordinate across jurisdictions when a suspect resides outside the county or is publicly identified with professional roles in another state. The presence of a registered warrant and criminal charge begins a legal process that will involve evidence review, potential prosecution, and, if pursued, court proceedings in Monroe County.

For residents, the immediate implications are both practical and civic. Law enforcement and animal welfare investigators are tasked with protecting animals and enforcing statutes; neighbors and marina users have a role in reporting suspected abuse and preserving evidence such as video or witness statements. The investigation remains active, and Monroe County officials say they will release more information as the case develops.

What comes next is an SPCA determination about the dog’s injuries and continuing law enforcement work to build the case for prosecutors. The outcome will inform how local authorities address similar incidents and how the Keys community balances waterfront living with enforcement of animal welfare standards.