Terre Haute, In. – James Minard was in court yesterday to hear charges of animal cruelty when according to witnesses he hit a dog with a shovel. Minard testified that the dog was aggressive toward him and had bit him.  Police said they didn’t see any injuries on Minard. The dog’s owner agreed to have the dog put down due to its condition after being hit several times on the head with the shovel.  Minard is charged with a misdemeanor and one felony related to animal cruelty. A group of nearly 30 people protested outside the courthouse during Minard’s hearing. The group was organized by Taylor Bullock of “happy Trails Animal Rescue a 501-c-3 home, and Foster based rescue. Bullock says she asked on Facebook for people to come together and show the court that we’re sick of this, we’ve had enough – we need stronger animal laws. Animal abuse should not be tolerated.