Husky Dies After Brutal Kicks in Lyon: Owner Files Cruelty Complaint

A Shocking Act in a Public Square

The tragedy unfolded on the evening of Wednesday, August 13, 2025, in Lyon’s 6th arrondissement, at Place Maréchal-Lyautey. Enko, who had slipped away from the supervision of his owner’s son, was wandering the square when a passerby, reportedly walking his own dog, kicked him repeatedly.

Witnesses described the husky as confused and exhausted after the assault, lying down near bushes. The aggressor left the scene, while concerned bystanders alerted the police. A witness even photographed Enko shortly after the attack, before the SPA animal control service arrived.

From Rescue to Tragedy

The husky was taken to a local pound, where his microchip identified his owner. “When he was brought back around 12:40 a.m., he showed no visible injuries, but he looked drained and lifeless,” Enko’s owner told Le Progrès.

Less than an hour later, Enko’s condition deteriorated rapidly. “He couldn’t breathe, he was coughing, like something was blocking his throat,” she recalled.

A Desperate Race to the Vet

Panicked, the owner first called SOS Vets, but as the waiting time grew, she decided to rush Enko herself to an emergency clinic with the help of a private driver.

“The ten-minute journey was unbearable. Enko was fighting for air, and then he took his last breath just outside the clinic,” she recounted. Despite immediate attempts by veterinarians, nothing could be done. Preliminary assessments suggest a possible internal hemorrhage caused by the kicks.

Heartbreak, Anger, and a Call for Justice

Enko had been adopted by the family in March 2024. For his owner, the loss is devastating. “My heart is overflowing with anger, sadness, and guilt. It’s a nightmare,” she said.

The woman has filed a formal complaint for animal cruelty. The investigation is now in the hands of local authorities, while animal rights advocates in Lyon have expressed outrage at yet another case of senseless violence.