When a man arrested on felony animal abuse charges make his next court appearance in Yakima Friday, July 23 animal lovers have vowed to be inside and outside the Yakima County courthouse.. Many people on social media are planning to show up in support of the dog that was tortured and killed on the 4th of July at a Yakima home.

THE SUSPECT FACES FELONY ANIMAL CRUELTY CHARGES

27-year-old Eduardo Serrano-Reyes is set to be charged with first-degree animal abuse on July 23 in Yakima County Superior Court. During his initial court appearance last week he was released as part of the county pretrial release program.

IF CONVICTED THE SENTENCE IS 0-365 DAYS IN THE COUNTY JAIL

Brusic says he knows people are hoping for a harsh sentence if Serrano-Reyes is convicted. But he says that may not happen. With no prior criminal record the charge of first-degree animal abuse calls for a term of 0-365 days. The time would be spent in the Yakima County jail. No prison time because of the nature of the charge. Brusic says that many be discouraging for some people but he says it's the legislature that makes sentencing guidelines not the Yakima County Prosecutors Office.
Police say the Reyes tortured and killed dog found in his yard in the 700 block of South 4th Avenue on the 4th of July. He was arrested last Thursday at his home where police also found the dog buried on his property.

HERE'S THE DETAILS OF THE ALLEGATIONS

Yakima Police say he tied the dogs legs together and then hung the dog. Authorities say he then slashed the dogs throat and cut and bruised the dogs body. Police found the dog buried in the suspects yard. They took pictures of the dog and the pictures were examined by local vets who say the wounds were from a knife. When police confronted him he reportedly told them the dog had wandered into his yard and was attacked by his two dogs.

THE SUSPECT SAYS HE DIDN'T TORTURE THE DOG

He says he slashed the dogs throat to kill the dog because it was suffering from injuries after being attacked by his dogs. Police say they don't believe his story. He requested but a judge refused to return his two dogs to him until after the investigation and the case is complete.

State officials say first degree animal cruelty is a class C felony, which includes intentionally inflicting pain, causing physical injury or killing an animal in a way that causes undue suffering.