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N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – A North Dakota man accused of strangling a dog to death made his initial appearance in North Central District Court Monday.

63 year-old Darnell Hankel faces a felony charge of animal cruelty after reportedly strangling a family dog to death in 2014. Ward County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Hankel in April.

Court records show that Hankel admitted to investigators that he strangled the pet. According to the complaint, Hankel claimed he grew tired of taking care of the animal because it had developed a skin disorder.

Story courtesy of Valley News Live.