Fresno pool cleaner, accused of killing a family dog, appears in court. Here’s what he faces

A 23-year-old former swimming pool technician pleaded not guilty Thursday to a charge of animal cruelty involving the death of a family’s beloved pet.

Aaron Cumpton is facing three years in jail if a jury finds him guilty of killing a Fresno family’s 16-year-old Yorkie named Artie.

Appearing with his attorney Curtis Sok, Cumpton was allowed to remain out of jail on pre-trial release until his case is completed.

Judge James Kelley ordered that Cumpton not be allowed to be unsupervised around anyone’s pets and to obey all laws.

Sok told the judge Cumpton, who no longer works as a pool cleaner, that he has been doing odd jobs to earn a living and attending anger management classes.

Cumpton is accused of killing the Fresno family’s pet after it got out of the yard.

Video surveillance cameras at the pet owner’s home show that on Oct. 26, 2021, Cumpton is seen holding the Yorkie.

Cumpton then walks out of the camera’s view, and reappears a short time later holding the dog’s lifeless body. The surveillance video then shows Cumpton placing the dog in a garbage can and covering the dog with trash, according to investigators.

The pet’s body was not recovered because of the late discovery of the dog’s death.

Cumpton is due back in court on March 4 for a pre-preliminary hearing.