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Analysis: New QBs generally look like headliners stepping in

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Your view: A simple solution to combat illegal dumping

<p>KINGSTON &#8212; Humane officers with the SPCA of Luzerne County on Monday refiled animal cruelty charges against a Kingston man accused of choking a dog to death and burying the animal behind a residence on South Meade Street in Wilkes-Barre.</p><p>Dennis Blanchette, 27, of Penn Street, allegedly choked a Husky-mix to death on Aug. 19 and buried the body behind 30 S. Meade St.</p><p>A humane officer recovered the dog&#8217;s body, which was in a garbage bag with its head sticking out, on Aug. 22, court records say. A necropsy revealed the dog died from strangulation.</p><p>Blanchette was initially charged Sept. 9 but had the case dismissed by District Judge David Barilla Jr. after a preliminary hearing in Luzerne County Central Court.</p><p>Humane officers refiled the case against Blanchette with District Judge James Haggerty in Kingston.</p><p>According to the criminal complaint:</p><p>A city police officer contacted the SPCA about a dog that was killed on South Meade Street.</p><p>Blanchette told authorities the dog, a 3-year-old Husky-mix, ate dirty diapers and had no appetite, stopped eating, and was vomiting and had diarrhea. Blanchette claimed he took the dog for help at the SPCA where the dog vomited in the lobby.</p><p>Blanchette was told to take the dog to a veterinary hospital but had no money to pay for its care.</p><p>Court records say Blanchette returned to 30 S. Meade St. to put the dog down by wrapping both his arms around the dog&#8217;s neck and choking it. Blanchette lifted his shirt to show authorities where the dog scratched him trying to escape the choke hold, court records say.</p><p>Blanchette claimed the dog struggled for one to two minutes and died within seven minutes.</p><p>Blanchette was charged with a third-degree felony count of aggravated cruelty to animals, two misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals and neglect of animals, and summary counts of cruelty to animals and neglect of animals. He was released on $5,000 unsecured bail.</p><style>
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<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Ed Lewis</p><p>elewis@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Ed Lewis at 570-991-6116 or on Twitter @TLEdLewis</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Kingston man charged with choking dog to death