Dog qualified for unemployment, man says

A Michigan man said his dog qualified for $360 of unemployment benefits per week from the state.

Michael Haddock told WZZM that he received a letter addressed to Michael Ryder — his first name and his dog’s name — from the State of Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency.

“Not sure what he is going to do with the money, but it should be interesting,” Haddock said in a Facebook post. “I knew he was clever, but he surprised me this time.”

Authorities said the letter is a result of fraud and was flagged as suspicious after being mailed to Haddock, WZZM reported. The UIA is creating a special investigative unit to handle a recent jump in fake claims.

The UIA sent another letter to Haddock denying the claim, WZZM reported.

“Unfortunately, Michael Ryder’s claim will not be allowed. I know first-hand it is rare for ‘man’s best friend’ to contribute financially to the household and that will continue in this instance,” Tim Kolar, UIA’s state administrator of investigations, told WZZM.

Ryder’s claim was caught before any money was handed out, WZZM reported.