POINT PLEASANT — A New Haven man waived his preliminary hearing on the charge of animal cruelty in magistrate court Monday.

In the early morning hours of Feb. 23, a gunshot in a Main Street neighborhood in New Haven was heard by one of the residents, according to the criminal complaint. The resident glanced out and told police later that he saw a man running from another residence.

At the same time, the owner, Robert Ohlinger, was leaving his home and noticed that the family pet, a full-grown black Labrador retriever, did not approach him as he was leaving. Ohlinger went to the dog and noticed that it had been shot in the head. He then called Mason County 911 to report the incident.

After an investigation by Chief Rich Gilkey and Patrolman Derrick Taylor of the New Haven Police Department, the officers arrested Joshua T. Hunter, 25, on a charge of cruelty to animals.

The statute states that any person who intentionally tortures or maliciously kills an animal or causes, procures or authorizes any other person to torture or maliciously kill an animal can be found guilty of the charge.

Hunter appeared before Magistrate Gail Roush for arraignment. Roush set bond at $10,000. He was taken to the Western Regional Jail in Barboursville.

On Monday, Hunter appeared before Magistrate Cheryl Ross and waived his preliminary hearing. His attorney Jeremy Vickers asked for Hunter’s bond to be reduced.

Ross reduced his bond to $2,500 and upheld the terms of the original bond.

Hunter’s case will go to the grand jury in May.