JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A Middleburg man is facing two charges after abandoning a puppy in a park trash can in November, according to the Clay County Sheriff's Office.
On Nov. 14, deputies responded to Moody Park, 3510 Moody Ave., to investigate an animal cruelty complaint, according to an warrant for Rollins' arrest. The investigation revealed a puppy had been placed in a trash bag and left in a trash can.
Altariq Rollins, 23, was charged with felony animal cruelty and misdemeanor abandonment of animals.
The affidavit said a woman heard a whimpering noise coming out of the trash can and found the puppy.
Earlier in the day, a veterinarian with Clay Humane inspected the dog, the warrant said. The dog's condition meant it could not walk or stand, with ribs, vertebrae and pelvic bones visible. The warrant said the veterinarian gave the dog a two out of nine on the Purina Body Condition System and recommended euthanizing the dog due to the pain it was in.
Rollins declined and placed the dog in a bag, which "disturbed" the veterinarian, the warrant stated.
The sheriff's office posted a picture of Rollins on social media and he was eventually identified. The warrant was executed Monday.
