Man Beaten to Death While Trying to Save Dog Allegedly Being Beaten by Suspect: Reports

A Michigan man was beaten to death on Christmas Eve, reportedly after attempting to save a dog from being beaten.

Robert Cavanaugh, 60, was found unresponsive on the ground in a residential area in Madison Heights, Mich., in the evening on Dec. 24, police told PEOPLE. Responding officers transported him to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead. 

Rodney Beasley, 68, was arrested in connection with the killing, police said.

In a GoFundMe set up to assist with funeral expenses, his family alleged Cavanaugh was trying to save a dog that was being beaten by a man.

When Cavanaugh, identified as “Bobby” in the fundraiser, tried to intervene, the man allegedly beat him with a pipe, the family says. Neighbors also told Fox 2 news that the “animal lover” had been intervening to try to rescue a dog from being beaten.

Police, however, would not confirm details of the alleged attack, citing the pending investigation; they told Fox 2 that reports he was trying to save a dog were under investigation.

“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. He did everything from his heart,” his family said in the fundraising appeal, adding that he “always gave back whenever he could especially all animals.” 

The family had raised more than $28,000 for burial expenses as of Tuesday afternoon.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

Beasley is facing a charge of assault with a dangerous weapon, Madison Heights police confirmed with PEOPLE.

Plea and attorney information for him was not immediately available.