MASONTOWN, W.Va. — A Masontown man has been charged after police say he hit a dog on the snout with a shovel and caused a serious injury.
On July 12, deputies from the Preston County Sheriff’s Department were called to investigate a report of an injured dog at Plum Hill Terrace.
Deputies were shown picture of a small dog with a laceration on the snout with blood on her face and bedding. Deputies were also shown a text message from James Johnston, 60, that said he tought the dog a lesson for using the bathroom in the house.
Johnston also acknowledged the dog should have medical care, but refused and said “she can suffer.”
Johnston told deputies he was going to take the dog to the vet, but that was four hours after incident happened.
Johnston has been charged with animal cruelty and is being held in the Tygart Valley Regional Jail.