A Cinebar man charged with two counts of first-degree animal cruelty appeared in court Friday afternoon for his preliminary hearing. Troy B. Whitson, 21, did not enter a plea, and his next court appearance will be 3 p.m. Thursday. Whitson will have his attorney status reviewed or arraigned and have the date of his trial set.The two charges stem from accusations that Whitson engaged in a sexual act with two malamute dogs in October. He denies the allegations.The state Legislature modified the animal cruelty statute several years ago to include sexual contact with animals.First-degree animal cruelty is considered a felony with a maximum penalty of five years in prison with a $10,000 fine.
