An 18-year-old Massachusetts man is facing an animal cruelty charge after his malnourished and flea-infested dog was abandoned last month in 100-degree heat.
The Recorder of Greenfield reports that Timothy Rivers, who has addresses in Deerfield, Greenfield and Orange, is free on personal recognizance after pleading not guilty. He refused comment when reached by the newspaper but told police the dog got loose and has a disorder that makes it hard to keep on weight.
The male pit bull mix was caught in Deerfield by an animal shelter volunteer last month. Dubbed Tigger by shelter staff, he was diagnosed with severe mange, severe intestinal worms and other conditions.
Meanwhile, workers at the Franklin County Regional Dog Shelter say Tigger has been nursed back to health and is now adoptable.
