Dog killing case set for trial.

William Monroe, left, with defense attorney Tim Hayes.

Dog killing case set for trial.

#OceanaCountyCrime

By Allison Scarbrough. Editor.

HART — The case against a 43-year-old Hart man accused of killing his dog is headed to trial in June in 27th Circuit Court.

William Jon Monroe, of 3291 N. 120th Ave., was arrested by the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office Nov. 2 for a felony of killing/torturing an animal and a misdemeanor of abandonment/cruelty to two or three animals.

After receiving a citizen complaint that an animal was not being properly cared for, a sheriff’s deputy discovered that one of Monroe’s dogs was deceased and another dog was in “poor shape,” said Oceana County Prosecutor Joseph Bizon.

Monroe was offered a plea deal to admit to the felony count of killing/torturing an animal, and the misdemeanor count of abandonment/cruelty would be dismissed. In exchange for his admission, Monroe would face a sentence within the guidelines of 0-3 months. Monroe did not bite on it.

A two-day trial is set for June 13 and 14 with a status conference scheduled for May 7.

Monroe is free on a $7,500/cash/surety/10 percent bond.

Killing/torturing an animal is punishable by up to four years in prison, and abandonment/cruelty to an animal is punishable by up to one year in jail.

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Tags: 27th Circuit Court, court news