A Farrell man cited by the Humane Society of Mercer County with animal cruelty has pleaded not guilty.

Albert Mathis, 31, of 732 Fruit Ave., Farrell, is the son-in-law of the Revs. Keith and Letitia Banks, co-pastors of Pentecostal House of Prayer, 725 Fruit Ave., Farrell.

The church has appealed a Farrell Zoning Hearing Board decision to allow the society to build an office, indoor kennel and retail store at the northeast corner of Roemer Boulevard and Fruit Avenue, Farrell.

A hearing on the citation has been set for 9:30 a.m. Nov. 14 at the Hermitage office of District Justice Henry J. Russo.

The society said Mathis has allowed his female puppy to live outside without shelter, has not taken the dog to a veterinarian and did not have water for it when humane agent Cyndi Sankey visited the Mathis home at 4:10 p.m. Oct. 24.