Police arrested a West Virginia man accused of sexually abusing his pet dog.

State troopers said Jonnie Boggess, of Miami, admitted to a sexual encounter over the summer with the 2-year-old beagle mix named Piglet.

The 47-year-old Boggess told investigators he found the animal in his bed after drinking, and troopers said he confessed to “gentle sexual intercourse” with the dog.

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“(Boggess) stated that when he had finished having intercourse that he held ‘Piglet’, petted her, and told ‘Piglet’ that he loved her,” police said in the criminal complaint.

The man said his girlfriend told him she heard the dog yelping, but he assured her he wasn’t hurting the animal.

Troopers said Boggess told them he believed it was OK to have sex with his dog because she weighed more than 40 pounds and had been spayed.

“He said he wished he hadn’t done it,” said Larry O’Bryan, of West Virginia State Police. “He said he was drunk when he did it.”

Boggess was charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty, and the dog was removed from his home.

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He was freed on $5,000 bond.

Neighbors said they were embarrassed by reports of the crime, but they admitted they weren’t surprised.

“He has done this before, with animals before, and it’s no shock,” one neighbor said.

At least one neighbor and possibly Boggess’ girlfriend notified an animal welfare agency of the alleged abuse.

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Watch this video report posted online by WOWK-TV:

WOWK 13 Charleston, Huntington WV News, Weather, Sports