(This story has been updated with new information.)
CANTON ‒ A 25-year-old man from Northwest Ohio was arrested by East Canton police Wednesday after being accused of engaging in sexual intercourse with his dog, a border collie named Rex.
A felony charge of prohibitions concerning companion animals says the dog suffered serious physical harm as a result. The acts are described as taking place from Feb. 1 through March 16.
He is also charged with sexual conduct with an animal, a misdemeanor.
The charges were filed in Canton Municipal Court. Arraignment is scheduled for Friday.
Online court records indicate the defendant lives in Helena, a village about 40 miles southwest of Sandusky.
East Canton Police Chief Christopher Hartlaub said the defendant lived in the village when the offenses occurred, but has since moved to Helena.
He was being held in the Stark County Jail on Thursday morning.
The dog is being kept at the Stark County Humane Society, Hartlaub said.
He said the complaint was originally lodged with the Canton Prosecutor’s Office, which referred it to his department for investigation.
Reach Nancy at 330-580-8382 or nancy.molnar@cantonrep.com.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Ohio man faces charges of having sex with his dog in East Canton
Reporting by Nancy Molnar, Canton Repository / The Repository
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