Published: August 05, 2009 11:54 pm      

City man accused of animal cruelty

A Johnstown man was charged with cruelty to animals after police said he shot a dog and then dragged it with his wheelchair to North Sheridan Street, where it was found by an animal control officer.

City police said that they found the carcass of a 9-month-old male boxer on the road Monday.

They followed a blood trail from the carcass to the Oakhurst Homes public housing project, where they found the owner, Larry Stonerook.

Stonerook, 59, told police he shot the dog because the animal was “tearing up his house and was biting him.”

When police asked him how the dog ended up on North Sheridan Street, Stonerook reportedly said he dragged it there with his wheelchair and intended to bury it.

Police confiscated a Stevens Model 77D 16-gauge pump shotgun.

Stonerook was charged with cruelty to animals, disorderly conduct and discharging a firearm.

The charges were filed before District Judge Michael Musulin of Johnstown.