VANDLING, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— A Lackawanna County man has been charged with multiple counts of animal cruelty after allegedly hitting and kicking a dog last Friday.
Police say 65-year-old James Johnson, of Vandling is being charged with two felony counts of Aggravated Cruelty ton Animals and one felony county of Burglary- Possible Forced Entry.
The criminal complaint states that officers with the Carbondale Police Department were going to execute a mental health warrant on Johnson at his home on Main Street on April 18.
Officials say that Johnson's stepdaughter stated that he possibly killed her and her husband's dog approximately six-year-old shitzu.
After speaking with Johnson, police say that Johnson said he hit the dog in the head and kicked it because it was the devil.
Johnson stated that the dog started spinning around on its head so he attempted to kill the dog.
Johnson stated that the dog ran off and someone picked the dog up, but the husband stated that Johnson allegedly kicked their door in to get the dog, and was spotted carrying the dog down the roadway by its ear.
Johnson also allegedly said that he believed that he was the son of God and Donald Trump, and that he was waiting for God and his wife to pick him up between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.
The dog was later found in the middle of the roadway in Vandling by a resident where it was taken to the Forest City Police Department and then to Plains Township Emergency Vet, according to the complaint.
The dog suffered numerous bodily injuries.
Johnson is still awaiting a preliminary hearing date.
