A Karns City man denied accusations of animal cruelty after he waived his right to a preliminary hearing on charges of animal neglect before District Judge Amy Marcinkiewicz on Wednesday, Jan. 29.

Douglas J. Fleeger, 65, said he saved, rather than abused his dog, which police said he left outside the Butler County Humane Society in November.

Fleeger is charged with misdemeanor cruelty and neglect to animals in relation to the alleged Nov. 26 incident.

According to police, Fleeger left his dog outside the humane society in a cage overnight when recorded temperatures were about 33 degrees, according to the affidavit.

“I’ve never been a criminal,” Fleeger said.

Fleeger said he has no prior criminal record and is confident he will be able to provide character witnesses in court. He alleged the humane society misrepresented the circumstances of this incident.

Fleeger was represented by public defender Terri Schultz and prosecuted on behalf of the state by assistant district attorney David Beichner.

Fleeger’s formal arraignment is scheduled for 1 p.m. March 18 in Butler County Common Pleas Court.