Protesters attend hearing for Girard man accused of beating his dog

GIRARD — About 15 protesters have gathered outside Girard Municipal Court before the preliminary hearing today of a Girard man accused of beating his dog.

John Giordano, 51, faces an animal-cruelty charge. He is set to appear in court later this afternoon.

Police arrested him in February after multiple people reported a video in which it appears that a man is beating a dog on North St. Clair Street.

In the video, a man appears to strike a dog multiple times, hit it with his knee and choke it.

The dog is in the custody of the Animal Welfare League.