Alleged Dog Rapist's Preliminary Hearing Postponed

A Bethlehem man accused of raping a dog in October had his preliminary hearing continued Tuesday by mutual agreement of the prosecution and the defense, according to the presiding district judge.

Jim Burke, the attorney for defendant Juan Sanabria-Hernandez, said he hopes that further investigation will reveal more facts in the case. The hearing has been rescheduled for Feb. 11, according to the online court summary.

Sanabria-Hernandez, 26, allegedly raped a female Shih Tzu at the Allentown home of the dog’s owner, Angela Rivera, on Oct. 19. Rivera reportedly noticed that the dog was acting hurt and unusually, and Sanabria-Hernandez reportedly admitted the sexual assault to Rivera and to Allentown police.

Sanabria-Hernandez is charged with having sexual intercourse with an animal and cruelty to animals.

Sanabria-Hernandez, who is free on $5,000 bail, appeared for the hearing at the office of District Judge Michael D’Amore of Allentown before Burke and the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office agreed to the continuance.