An East Lampeter Township man charged with neglecting a dog by letting it bleed for weeks before providing her with veterinary care will have his case proceed to county court after waiving his preliminary hearing earlier this week. 

Raymond Jay Petersheim, of the 2500 block of Siegrist Road, waived his preliminary hearing before Judge Courtney Monson on Tuesday on one count of aggravated cruelty to animals and one count of cruelty to animals.

Petersheim, 40, is accused of recklessly neglecting the dog, a spaniel-type dog named Princess, by letting her lay and be coated in her own bodily fluids for several weeks before bringing her to a Manheim Township veterinary hospital the night of Feb. 19.

Staff at the veterinary hospital found the dog to be emaciated, weak and unable to stand without help and appearing to have been neglected. Petersheim told staff that the dog had been bleeding with a discharge of fluids for seven weeks and not eating.

A veterinarian was so concerned by the dog’s condition that she contacted Lancaster County Detectives, who ultimately seized the canine after acquiring a search warrant.

Detectives took the dog to an animal rescue where a subsequent forensic examination revealed that she was suffering from numerous ailments that required surgical intervention, an emergency transfusion and continued treatment and care. 

When detectives arrived at the hospital Petersheim refused to speak with them and departed. 

Petersheim is currently free on $1,000 unsecured bail.

Lancaster County Det. Joanne Resh filed the charges.

All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.