HAZLE TOWNSHIP – A Luzerne County man arrested for the hanging death of his nephew’s dog gave up his right to a preliminary hearing in court Wenesday.
Gino Saullo was arrested in March for animal cruelty and was released after posting $2,500 bail in May.
Troopers said a 3-year-old mixed breed pit bull was found dead, hanging from a dumpster on the side of a retaining wall.
Neighbors subpoenaed for the hearing said the lifeless dog was found bloodied and beaten.
Following the hearing, Gino Saullo told Newswatch 16 that he was not involved with the dog’s death.
“I don`t know. I`ll tell it in court,”said Saullo. “Got nothing to say. Get it out of my face. I did not kill no dog."
Shawn Saullo says his uncle took the dog named “Pumpkin” for a walk, one day after it scratched his step-daughter’s face.
“He comes back to the room, shows me his hand, it`s all red marks on his hand. He says that the dog ran away,” said Shawn Saullo. “I guess he took it upon himself to punish the dog. I never thought he would have or I would have never let the dog go with him."
The animal cruelty case will now be sent to the Luzerne County courthouse.