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A Uintah County man is facing an animal cruelty charge for allegedly beating his mother's puppy with a bat earlier this month.

The 23-year-old Vernal man is charged in 8th District Court with one count of third-degree felony torture of a companion animal.

Uintah Animal Control and Shelter Special Service District public information officer and executive director Tina Williams said the dog suffered serious injuries during the May 1 incident.

"The puppy suffered blunt trauma to the head, shoulders and a fractured leg," Williams said.

But Williams said the dog is recovering, and has been adopted by a family. She said the dog had been released to the shelter by the defendant's mother.

The man made his first court appearance on Wednesday, at which time Judge Edward Peterson found him indigent and appointed him an attorney.

The defendant is due back in court on July 8 for a preliminary hearing.

If convicted, he faces a potential prison term of up to five years.

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