ELK RIVER — Dozens of protesters have rallied outside a court appearance for a Minnesota man accused of videotaping himself as he tortured and killed his girlfriend’s dog.

Twenty-five-year-old Anthony Sather made a brief appearance in Sherburne County court Wednesday. Sather faces a felony count of mistreating an animal.

The charges allege Sather recorded himself beating, kicking and eventually shooting the husky mix named Draco at the Princeton home he shared with his girlfriend.

Much of the allegations against Sather are based on three videos his girlfriend found on his computer in December showing the assault.

The Star Tribune reports protesters carried “Justice for Draco” signs outside the courthouse.

The judge scheduled Sather’s next hearing for March 5.