BOZEMAN — A southwestern Montana man has been ordered to stay away from his dog after being charged with animal cruelty.
Court records say 22-year-old Roy White of Whitehall was cited Tuesday for punching his dog outside a cafe west of Bozeman. On Monday, he had been cited for leaving the dog in a hot car.
A witness reported seeing White punch the dog. White told investigators he swatted the dog with a piece of paper after it urinated on a sleeping bag in his pickup truck.
Responding officers said the dog was limping and appeared to be afraid of White. It was taken to the Bozeman animal shelter.
White pleaded not guilty on Wednesday. The judge ordered him to have no contact with the dog while the case is pending.