FERGUS FALLS, Minn. (AP) — Animal rights groups have turned out at a court hearing for a Minnesota man charged with trying to kill his dog.

Twenty-four-year-old Benjamin Stavaas of Battle Lake appeared in Otter Tail County Court on Monday.

Stavaas is charged with six counts of animal cruelty. He is accused of cutting the throat of a German shepherd mix named Star last June and leaving her to die. The dog survived.

Representatives of the Humane Society and other groups attended the hearing. His next hearing is set for June 13.

Stavaas has not entered a plea yet. He remains in jail, with bail set at $200,000 cash or bond with no conditions or $100,000 with conditions.