PD News

February 8, 2010

Man to be tried in dog’s death

Arthur J. Menichini, 43, shot and killed a German Shepherd he said charged him, dog he was walking.

By Sheena Delazio sdelazio@timesleader.com
Staff Writer
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WILKES-BARRE -- A Pittston Township man who police say shot and killed a neighbor’s pet German Shepherd will stand trial beginning today.

Arthur J. Menichini, 43, of Wall Street, who is charged with cruelty to animals and disorderly conduct, had recently asked a Luzerne County judge to dismiss the charges, saying that he did not commit any crimes when he shot a dog owned by Marianne Zelonis when he was walking his mother’s dog in April.

But the judge ordered Menichini to stand trial in the second animal cruelty case to come before a jury in as many weeks.

Last week Holly Crawford was tried on three counts of animal cruelty for allegedly piercing the ears and docking the tails of three kittens. She was found guilty of one count and not guilty of the other two.

A December hearing for Menichini brought several people to the courthouse who silently protested and held signs that said “dog murderer.” Protesters wanted justice for the dog, Kiera.

Denise Kumor, owner of Pet Services by Denise and Tracey’s Hope, a hospice program for pets, said representatives from animal rights groups from Delaware and Maryland were present, as well as the committee associated with Tracey’s Hope.

“This really disturbed me because of him using a gun,” Kumor said. “He took the law into his own hands and shot the dog. ... This is something we’re not gonna let go.”

Menichini told police he shot the dog after it charged at him and his mother’s dog, Coco, a beagle mix. He said the larger dog had previously attacked Coco. He said he shot the dog once.

After seeing the dog in pain, Menichini fired another round from his gun, which he has a licensed permit to carry, killing the canine.

Menichini’s attorney, John Terrana, previously said the charges should be dismissed because Menichini did not act in a cruel manner but rather in self-defense to protect himself and his mother’s dog.

Terrana said Zelonis should not have been permitted to allow her dog to run loose and there is no evidence Menichini acted criminally.

But Assistant District Attorney Shannon Crake said neither Menichini nor the dog he was walking displayed any fresh wounds. She also said that Menichini expressed his displeasure with the German Shepherd earlier in the day, that no other neighbors expressed any concerns and that prosecutors presented enough evidence to charge Menichini.

The trial will be held before Luzerne County Judge David Lupas.

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