The trial of a man charged with animal cruelty for allegedly abandoning the pit bull now known as Braveheart is set to begin in Caddo District Court on Monday.

Caddo Sheriff Steve Prator is reminding citizens that public demonstrations in or near the Courthouse are not allowed immediately before, during, or immediately after court proceedings. Deputies will be enforcing state law 14:401, which prohibits interfering with a trial and related acts. No signs, buttons, or t-shirts addressing the case will be allowed, he said.     

Gabriel Lee, 32, was arrested in October 2013 and charged with cruelty to an animal after the 4-month-old puppy was found chained inside a storage unit in the 2900 block of Youree Drive. The animal was believed to have been abandoned there for several days. He was emaciated and barely alive.