Girard man gets year’s probation for beating dog

GIRARD

A judge today sentenced a Girard man to a year’s probation on a misdemeanor animal cruelty charge.

Police arrested John Giordano, 51, in February after a video surfaced in which a man appears to beat a dog outside a North St. Clair Street home.

The video ignited outrage on social media and prompted a small group of animal rights activists to protest at Giordano’s court appearances.

Judge Jeffrey Adler of Girard Municipal Court found Giordano guilty after Giordano pleaded no contest to the charge.

Judge Adler also ordered Giordano to forfeit the dog, a Rottweiler named “Hazard,” and pay $684 in fines and court costs, according to a court clerk.