A Warwick Township man charged with severely beating a dog, leaving it with serious injuries including possible brain damage, will have his case proceed to county court after waiving his preliminary hearing.

Joshua S. Hess, 26, waived his preliminary hearing before Judge Joseph Stauffer on Feb. 24 on a single count of cruelty to animals.

Hess is accused of repeatedly hitting the dog, a French bulldog named Winter, at his residence in the first block of Church Street in early January.

The dog’s owner told police Hess admitted to striking the canine on the head three times after it used the bathroom inside the home, rendering it unconscious. Hess refused to take the dog to a veterinarian at the owner’s request, she told police.

A Lancaster city veterinarian noted that the dog’s injuries included possible brain damage and bloodied eyes.

Neighbors safely removed a second dog belonging to the same owner from Hess’ home.

Hess is currently free on $15,000 unsecured bail.

Northern Lancaster County Regional Police Officer Jonathan Smith filed the charges.

All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.