The trial has delayed for a Mahoning County man who had been scheduled to go on trial Monday for allegedly shooting, strangling, and burying two dogs.

Officials in Judge John Durkin's court said Gary Smith was not available.

The 46-year-old Smith Township man is charged with four felony counts of animal cruelty.

The charges stem from an incident in 2020 where police say Smith shot, strangled, and buried two dogs in his backyard. Humane agents said this incident stemmed from a case of domestic violence.

Authorities had been looking for Smith since May of 2021 after he failed to appear for a court hearing. He was transferred to the Mahoning County Jail from the Summit County Jail in May of 2024.

Smith had been scheduled to enter a plea in the case last month.  However, that hearing was canceled because Smith was hospitalized at the time.

Smith was booked in the Summit County Jail in November of 2023 for unrelated drug charges. 

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