MAN CHARGED WITH ASSAULTING DOG

A man now faces charges related to assaulting a dog at a home in South Huntingdon.  The Trib reports that 30-year-old Zachary Hinson is charged with neglect and two counts of aggravated cruelty to animals in connection with an incident on Friday at a home just outside West Newton.  The dog’s owner reported the health of her shih tzu had been declining during the past couple of months that Hixson was living there.  The owner provided investigators with a cellphone she purchased for Hixson. On it were videos of Hixson assaulting the dog in various ways.  Police said he sent text messages that indicated he was going to kill the canine. Hixson told police he assaulted the animal and repeatedly spit in the direction of troopers during his arrest, according to court papers.  Hinson is in Westmoreland County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail with a preliminary hearing set for August 7th.