Accused dog killers in court
BY JOHN ZICK THE LEADER

BATH - Two area men accused of mutilating a cocker spaniel in July pleaded not guilty Wednesday, Oct. 17, in Steuben County Court.

Jeremy James, 25, of Bath, and Jake Hoffman, 25, of Hornell, were indicted last month on charges of felony aggravated cruelty to animals and first-degree unlawfully dealing with a child.

They will await trial as free men as part of the pre-trial release program. They are scheduled to reappear in court Oct. 30.

James and Hoffman are accused of killing the dog in "depraved and sadistic manner" July 21 in Savona, police said. The men then allegedly dismembered the carcass.

The arrests came as the result of a joint investigation by the sheriff's office and Scott Mazzo, the county's animal cruelty investigator.

The investigation began when a Savona resident contacted the SPCA to report dog being mutilated by a group of young people behind a residence on Grove Street.

The dog was "sacrificed and dismembered for unknown reasons," police said.

A portion of the dog's remains was found at the scene.

The men were charged with unlawful dealing for allegedly supplying alcohol to persons under 21 the night of the incident.

If convicted of the most serious charge, James and Hoffman face up to four years in state prison.