Dog killed with pick-axe San Dimas, CA (US) Incident Date: Saturday, Jul 2, 2005 County: Los Angeles Local Map: available Disposition: Convicted Abuser/Suspect: William Dale Costner Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

Case ID: 4966 Classification: Beating, Stabbing Animal: dog (non pit-bull) View more cases in CA (US) Login to Watch this Case

A Claremont man pleaded not guilty to felony animal cruelty in a Pomona courtroom on July 6, 2005. William Dale Costner, 52, of Claremont, was arraigned in Pomona Superior Court on a charge that he beat his dog to death with a pick ax, according to a statement from the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office.

A Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputy with the San Dimas Station arrested Costner on July 2 after he saw the man standing over what looked like a shallow grave while hitting an object.

The object turned out to be his female boxer between 7 and 9 years old, the statement said. Costner was about a block from his home in the 4000 block of Old Mt. Baldy Road at the time.

An autopsy performed by a veterinarian revealed the animal had been beaten to death with a pick ax, the statement said. The dog had been malnourished and there was evidence of old scar tissue throughout her body.

If convicted, Costner could be sentenced to a maximum of three years in state prison. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 19 in Pomona Superior Court.

Costner is being held in lieu of $20,000 bail.

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