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A man accused of tossing a dog onto a frozen southern Nebraska lake has pleaded not guilty.

Gavel
Posted at 11:52 AM, Feb 17, 2020
and last updated 2020-02-17 12:52:44-05

ELWOOD, Neb. (AP) — A man accused of tossing a dog onto a frozen southern Nebraska lake has pleaded not guilty.

Gosper County Court records say James Pollock, 29, of Elwood, entered a written plea Thursday to misdemeanor animal cruelty. His next hearing is scheduled for March 27.

Authorities have said Pollock threw the year-old dog onto the lake, causing it to land on its back and break through the ice. The dog swam back to shore, but it was tossed into the lake two more times, investigators said.

Nineteen-year-old Austin Vanburen, also of Elwood, is accused of taking video of what happened during the Jan. 4 incident.

The court records show he pleaded guilty Friday to attempted animal cruelty. He’s been ordered to return to court April 17.