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SALT LAKE CITY — A man accused of killing a puppy after torturing it for months is back behind bars for violating his terms of release.
Mikah Johnson, 20, is accused of brutally abusing a 3-month-old puppy named Moose. He faces three counts of torture of a companion animal, a third-degree felony, and four counts of cruelty to animals, a class B misdemeanor. Johnson pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Court documents show between July and August of last year, Johnson allegedly beat Moose numerous times – eventually killing him. A veterinarian determined Moose died of "severe pulmonary hemorrhage" from at least two episodes of blunt force trauma. Police say the dog had a fractured jaw, missing teeth, severe eye injuries, a liver ruptured in two places, extensive bleeding in his lungs, and bruising between the eyes extending back toward his spine.
He was arrested then released to Pretrial Services under several conditions. One condition ordered him to stay away from children and animals. A judge found that he violated his release terms by hanging out with minors at Green River High School in Wyoming, where he is from.
Kyra Walton, who started the "Justice for Moose" Facebook page and petition, said she is appalled by what Johnson is accused of doing to the puppy.
"I think he is a definite threat to society," Walton said. "If somebody can do that to an innocent puppy, they can do that to anybody."
Walton's petition has nearly 10,000 signatures. She believes the more supporters who sign it, the better chances are for the prosecution to use it during sentencing.
"I don't think anything can really truly bring justice for what happened to Moose, but it would be a small step toward it," Walton said.
On Friday, Judge Katie Bernards-Goodman set Johnson's bail at $150,000. His next court appearance is April 6.
