Animal Abuse: Dog sexually assaulted, boy abused - Markleysburg, PA

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Case ID: 17089

Classification: Bestiality

Animal: dog (non pit-bull)

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Attorneys/Judges

Judge(s):

Wendy D. Dennis

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Dog sexually assaulted, boy abused
Markleysburg, PA (US)

Incident Date: Sunday, Aug 1, 2010
County: Fayette

Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Dismissed

Person of Interest: Christopher Michael Smithburger

Case Updates: 2 update(s) available

A Markleysburg man is facing multiple charges after he allegedly abused a 9-year-old boy and performed sexual acts with a dog at a residence in North Union Township in August and September.

State police Trooper Kiprian Yarosh said Christopher Michael Smithburger, 37, of 583 Martin Road, was charged before Magisterial District Judge Wendy D. Dennis Tuesday with indecent assault, sexual intercourse with an animal and cruelty to animals.

Yarosh alleged that Smithburger inappropriately touched the boy in a swimming pool and also had the child watch as Smithburger tried to make the family's dog, a yellow Labrador, perform a sex act with him.

The Herald-Standard does not identify victims of alleged sexual assault.

Yarosh said he initiated the investigation after receiving a report of suspected child abuse from officials from Fayette County Children and Youth Services.

The alleged victim "informed his mother of multiple incidents of a sexual nature" involving Smithburger, according to the affidavit of probable cause filed by Yarosh.

The boy told police that Smithburger "would take the dog into the bathroom with him on numerous occasions," Yarosh said.

The alleged victim's mother reportedly told authorities that her son told her that Smithburger performed sex acts with the pet.

Yarosh and Trooper Jay Hundertmark interviewed Smithburger on Wednesday, and said that he admitted having "inappropriate contact" with the alleged victim.

Yarosh wrote that Smithburger said he attempted a sex act with the dog, but noted that he has an alcohol problem and that he was intoxicated when the alleged incidents occurred.

Case Updates

A charge of having sex with an animal, filed last year against a Markleysburg man who is also accused of abusing a 9-year-old boy, was dismissed following a preliminary hearing.

Christopher Michael Smithburger, 38, of Martin Road had charges of cruelty to animals and indecent assault held for court as a result of the hearing last week before Magisterial District Judge Wendy Dennis.

Charges were filed against Smithburger after he allegedly inappropriately touched the boy in a swimming pool, and allegedly had the child watch as he attempted to engage in sexual acts with the family's dog, a yellow Labrador.

The Herald-Standard does not identify alleged sex assault victims.

The case came to state police after a complaint was made to Fayette County Children and Youth Services last year. When police interviewed Smithburger, he reportedly admitted to having inappropriate contact with the child, according to Trooper Kiprian Yarosh.

The remaining charges were forwarded to the Fayette County Court of Common Pleas.

Source: heraldstandard.com - Feb 18, 2011
Update posted on Sep 22, 2011 - 9:43AM

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A district judge issued a warrant Wednesday for the arrest of a Fayette County man who failed to show for a preliminary hearing on charges he committed an indecent assault on a 9-year-old boy and performed sexual acts on a dog.

Christopher Michael Smithburger, 38, of Henry Clay Township, had been scheduled for a hearing before North Union District Judge Wendy Dennis on charges of indecent assault, sexual intercourse with an animal and cruelty to animals.

Because none of the charges are felonies, Smithburger had not been arraigned, and no bond conditions had been set.

In a criminal complaint, Trooper Kiprian Yarosh said the incidents happened between Aug. 1 and Sept. 2 at a North Union residence.

Police began investigating after receiving a report from Fayette County Children and Youth Services that the boy told his mother of multiple incidents of a sexual nature involving Smithburger, who had been living with the boy's family for a few months.

Smithburger admitted to police that he had "inappropriate contact" with the boy, according to the complaint. He denied having intercourse with the dog, a golden Labrador retriever, but said he attempted to do so, it said.

The defendant told police that he "has an alcohol problem and that he was intoxicated" when the incidents happened, the complaint said.

Anyone with information about Smithburger's whereabouts can contact state police at Uniontown at 724-439-7111.

Source: pittsburghlive.com - Dec 17, 2010
Update posted on Dec 17, 2010 - 11:01PM

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References

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Dog sexually assaulted, boy abusedMarkleysburg, PA (US)

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Dog sexually assaulted, boy abused
Markleysburg, PA (US)