OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - A man charged in connection with the hanging death of a dog in Thurston County has pleaded not guilty.
James Evans pleaded not guilty to one count of aggravated animal cruelty in Thurston County Superior Court Tuesday.
The Olympian reports (https://goo.gl/Zc3wj0 ) that several dozen animal supporters packed the courtroom, many wearing pink shirts bearing the dog’s name, Diamond.
Court documents show the 3-year-old pit bull was found March 21 hanging from a tree on Department of Natural Resources land near Summit Lake.
An exam found that the dog died from asphyxiation and there was evidence of sexual trauma.
Evans was arrested April 9 and later released on $50,000 bail. His trial is set for July 25.
A request for comment from his attorney, Richard Woodrow, was not immediately returned.
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Information from: The Olympian, https://www.theolympian.com
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