Man Ruled Incompetent For Trial In Death Of Chihuahua

HAGERSTOWN, Md. (AP) -- A western Maryland man is being committed for psychiatric care after a judge found him incompetent to stand trial for the fatal abuse of a Chihuahua.

The Herald-Mail reports that a judge made the ruling Monday in the case of 24-year-old David Lee King of Hagerstown.

King was charged in December 2013 with 11 counts of animal cruelty for allegedly burning the dog with hot water or acid. The animal suffered burns on about half of its body and was euthanized a few days later.

Court documents state that King initially told investigators a homeless man had poured hot water on the dog. The charging documents say King later acknowledged that he burned the dog because it didn't like him and always barked at him.