Judge sets state prison sentence for man who punched, kicked, choked dog

By RENATTA SIGNORINI
TribLive

After Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Ranger played graphic videos depicting the abuse of a dog in court Tuesday, she read messages the defendant sent laughing about his actions.

“The dog can’t walk lol,” Zachary Hixson, 31, said in one message.

“It’s paralyzed lol,” he said in another, as read by Ranger during Hixson’s sentencing hearing.

Ranger argued for a state prison sentence.

“This is evil,” she said. “This is a person who hurts living things and thinks that it’s funny.”

Judge Scott Mears sentenced Hixson to 20 to 60 months in a state prison on two counts of aggravated animal cruelty and single charges of neglect of animals and animal cruelty. Prosecutors said Hixson violently assaulted a 10-year-old shih tzu named Snickers while living at his then-girlfriend’s South Huntingdon home in July 2024.

Police contended Hixson punched, kicked and choked the dog, causing it to suffer a broken spine that left it unable to walk. In addition, police accused Hixson of using a cigarette to burn the dog.

Videos of the incidents were found on a cellphone the dog’s owner gave to Hixson, according to court records. The cellphone videos showed a person’s hands hitting or choking Snickers, and the dog sometimes barking or growling in response. Authorities used a tattoo on the left forearm of the person abusing the dog to help them identify the suspect.

“You video tape something you’re proud of, not something that you’re ashamed of or you regret,” Mears said.

The dog’s owner was not in court for Tuesday’s sentencing but sent a statement read aloud by Ranger, who believes the dog now uses a wheelchair.

“I want (Hixson) to get the help that he needs,” the statement said.

Defense attorney Adam Gorzelsky asked for a shorter sentence and said he agreed that Hixson was in need of counseling. Mears ordered a psychological evaluation.

Hixson apologized and said he’d like to seek mental health treatment to help him understand his actions.

“I messed up and it was wrong what I did,” he said.

He is prohibited from having an animal for 14 years.

Hixson pleaded guilty in June. He previously rejected a plea deal offered by prosecutors that called for him to serve at least 18 months in jail and five additional years on probation.