SHAKOPEE — Protesters turned out for the first court appearance for a Minnesota man accused of repeatedly hitting his elderly dog in the head with a sledgehammer.

More than three-dozen protesters carried signs demanding “Justice for Millie” outside the Scott County Courthouse Friday. The demonstrators filed into the courtroom as 71-year-old Rudolph Poppe appeared on felony animal cruelty charges.

Poppe is accused of beating his golden retriever with a sledgehammer July 12 as adults and children pleaded with him to stop. The dog had to be euthanized.

Poppe’s attorney asked the judge to lower bail from $40,000 bond or $5,000 cash.

The judge refused to lower Poppe’s bail.