A Hagerstown man must spend about six months in jail after a judge Monday found him guilty of two counts of animal cruelty, court records show.
Joshua L. Roberts was watching his girlfriend's 13-week-old cocker spaniel, court records show. When she returned from work, she found the dog lying on the floor unable to move, court records show. A veterinarian said the dog had severe blunt-force trauma to its head, court records show.
The dog died Sept. 27, 2008, after a second incident, court records show.
Roberts called his girlfriend to tell her something was wrong with the puppy, named Lily. He told her it died from drinking soapy water during a bath, court records show.
A veterinarian performed a necropsy and found burn marks on the corners of the dog's mouth and said the dog's death was probably due to electrocution.
