FRENCHCREEK TWP., Pa. (EYT) — A 28-year-old Polk man is facing animal neglect and cruelty charges after leaving a dog tethered outside with no food, water, or shelter.

Court documents indicate the Franklin-based State Police filed criminal charges against 28-year-old Charles Swatek, of Polk.

According to a criminal complaint, around 7:30 a.m. on February 5, a neighbor saw a dog outside of Charles Swatek’s residence. The neighbor continued to hear the dog bark throughout the day and noticed him still outside. The neighbor reported that the dog was running around when she left around 2:45 p.m., but when she returned around 4:00 p.m., the dog was laying down.

Police arrived around 6:49 p.m. and observed the dog shivering and whining. The officer observed that the tether the dog was on was not long enough for the dog to go under the porch, where there wasn’t any snow. There was also no form of shelter, food, or water provided for the dog, the complaint states.

Based on the investigation, the following charges were filed against Swatek on February 14 at Magisterial District Judge Matthew T. Kirtland’s office:

– Neglect of Animals — Shelter/Protection, Misdemeanor 3
– Neglect of Animals — Sustenance/Water, Misdemeanor 3
– Cruelty to Animals, Summary

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on March 14 with Judge Kirtland presiding.

A first-class summons was issued on February 15.