The Wabash County courtroom was standing room only this afternoon 28-year-old Thomas Arender appeared in court for his preliminary hearing. Arender is the Wabash County man charged with a Class 4 felony of aggravated cruelty after allegedly starving a dog to death earlier this year.
During the brief appearance, Arender waived his preliminary hearing and arraignment was set for May 14th at 11am.
More than 30 people showed up for the hearing, many of them wearing black t-shirts with the slogan “Never Again…” The Wabash County Animal Shelter Buddies’ Cheryl Bassett said those attending today’s hearing are looking for justice for the pit bull named Zeus….
Bassett said it’s hard to tell whether Zeus’s plight is isolated or starvation of pets is more widespread than people realize…
Also today, Arender’s court-appointed attorney William Easton filed a motion for discovery seeking evidence in the case from state’s attorney Cassandra Goldman.
Arender is accused of depriving adequate veterinary care and humane treatment to the pit bull. The dog was first taken to the Wabash County Animal Shelter by a family member of Arender’s. Zeus was then taken for veterinary care but was too malnourished to survive and died a day and a half later.
Arender remains free on a $10,000 bond. A condition of Arender’s bond is that he surrendered any pets and not be in charge of the care of any pets.
Shelter Buddy Joy Roberts passes out t-shirts before today’s hearing.
A portion of the crowd that gathered in the lobby of the Wabash County Courthouse before today’s hearing.