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Felony charge in dog cruelty case to go to trial

Jason Anthony and his male springer spaniel on July 4, 2019. Bailey was allegedly attacked by Anthony's roommate, John Riordan, with a sledgehammer on Sept. 20, 2019 in Anthony's home.

All charges will be held against a West Virginia man charged in Butler with attacking a dog after his case was refiled at the district level.

John G. Riordan, 48, first faced a felony charge of aggravated cruelty to animals, but the charge was reduced during a preliminary hearing in October after a former assistant district attorney determined that the injuries to the dog were not life threatening.

But District Attorney Richard Goldinger disagreed, refiling the case and sending it back to the preliminary level.

After hearings were held earlier this month before county Judge William Shaffer, the judge determined that prosecutors presented enough evidence for the felony charge to be held for trial for Riordan's alleged attack of a 13-year-old Spaniel with a sledgehammer in Summit Township on Sept. 21, 2019.

Along with the felony charge, Riordan faces misdemeanors of driving under the influence and cruelty to animals along with a summary vehicle charge.

Read more in Wednesday's Butler Eagle.

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