MEDIA COURTHOUSE, Pa. (AP) — A man from Brookhaven, Pennsylvania is facing charges of aggravated cruelty to animals after being accused of killing a shelter dog named Denali. David A. Saxton, 62, is held for court on two counts of aggravated cruelty to animals following a preliminary hearing.
The case has gained public attention, prompting a standing-room-only turnout at the Delaware County Courthouse. Animal rights activists attended the hearing, displaying signs demanding justice for Denali and branding Saxton as a danger to society.
The charges stem from an incident where Saxton allegedly killed the dog after his daughter, Erica, adopted it from the Providence Animal Center. Denali was originally known as Duncan and had exhibited aggressive behavior, prompting the family to plan his surrender to the shelter. However, the plans were changed and ultimately, Denali was slain.
During a welfare check on Denali, a humane society officer was unable to make contact with Saxton, who later confessed to strangling and slitting the dog’s throat. A necropsy confirmed that Denali died from “non-accidental strangulation.”
The defense attorney presented evidence from past caretaker notes on Denali, which indicated behavioral issues, while Erica Saxton had made multiple efforts to give the dog up for adoption. However, most veterinarians did not deem Denali’s behavior severe enough to warrant euthanasia.
Saxton is scheduled for a pretrial conference on February 6 before Common Pleas Court Judge Mary Alice Brennan.