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Man, 66, 'fooled around' with pet German Shepherd, police say

Man faces bestiality charges related to pet German shepherd.

Date published: 5/20/2009

A Spotsylvania man was arrested this week on charges of bestiality after admitting to family members he had been "fooling around" with his pet German shepherd, said 1st Sgt. Liz Scott of the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office.

Robert John Ward, 66, was arraigned yesterday in Spotsylvania General District Court on the charge.

According to the Virginia State Police sex offender registry, Ward has been registered since 2005 when he was convicted of three counts each of indecent liberties with a child and aggravated sexual battery in Stafford County Circuit Court.

Scott said allegations came about earlier this week after Ward’s admission to a family member, followed up by a veterinarian exam that revealed the female dog’s anal glands were swollen.

Scott said a PERK kit, a kit usually used to test for forcible sex crimes on humans, was completed on the family pet.

Ward’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 7 in Spotsylvania General District Court.

-Ellen Biltz

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Date published: 5/20/2009