VAN NUYS, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Animal-rights activists showed up in force at the court appearance of a man accused of dumping a badly burned dog in an alley last year.
The dog is believed to have been burned by fireworks strapped to his body and ignited. "Indy" survived the incident.
Carlos Duarte, 41, left the Van Nuys courthouse in an SUV with animal-rights activist angrily pounding on his vehicle.
Duarte was in court Tuesday morning for a preliminary hearing, which was continued to mid-July. He is charged with felony cruelty to an animal for allegedly dumping the severely burned pit bull in an alley in Van Nuys on July 4th, 2013.
Animal-rights activists who rescued the dog believe fireworks were strapped to his body and set off. Surveillance video of the alley helped police target the suspect's vehicle and arrest Duarte in February.
If convicted, Duarte could spend four years in county jail.
Eyewitness News has covered the story since the dog was treated for critical injuries at Westlake Village Animal Hospital. After numerous surgeries, he was given the name "Indy" and he made a full recovery.
About 300 supporters of Indy showed up Tuesday.
"I feel like the community really showed up today," said Jenny Mandel, who adopted Indy. "This is much bigger than Indy. Obviously I've got a personal association to him -- he's the kid that sleeps in my bed."
Duarte is charged in connection with dumping Indy, but he is not charged in connection with burning the dog.