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BOARDMAN -- A Youngstown man accused of abusing a puppy will wait to see what a grand jury says, after his case was bound over to the Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.
According to court records, charges of possession of drugs and cruelty to a companion animal for Dante Mason, 31, were bound over from county court in Boardman. A drug paraphernalia charge was dismissed.
As of Friday, Mason was in the Mahoning County jail on $10,000 bond.
He is accused of abusing a puppy at the Red Roof Inn in Boardman in February. A clerk called police after another guest heard sounds of the dog yelping.
When police arrived, Mason was reluctant but complied with officers and eventually told them the female puppy urinated on the bed, according to a police report.
An agent with Animal Charity in Boardman described the dog, named Isabella, to be "very scared," but also "sweet."
This week, Mary Louk, president of Animal Charity, said that Isabella is doing well after surgery in Akron.
One of the veterinarians at the hospital is fostering Isabella, which Louk said is ideal as he knows how best to care for her.
"Living with a veterinary professional is the best thing you could ask for," Louk said.
More surgeries may be in Isabella's future, but for now, she is on the mend.
Louk said when the surgeon first called with an update on Isabella, word was the puppy makes friends immediately. That was surprising to Louk, who thought that maybe Isabella would be timid around men.
"(The surgeon) said, 'Honestly I sat down, and she came over, crawled up in my lap and gave me kisses,'" Louk said.
Even during her time in the hospital immediately after her transport to Akron, Louk said each of the half-dozen people she spoke to said Isabella is a friendly, loving dog.
It is anticipated that Isabella will be adopted by the veterinarian professional fostering her.
That is a great situation, Louk said, as Isabella likely will have orthopedic issues for the rest of her life.
afox@tribtoday.com