A Nazareth man is facing charges after an investigation revealed a dog was repeatedly left out in the freezing cold, police said.
The 51-year-old resident is charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty and misdemeanor animal neglect. No attorney representing the defendant was immediately listed in court records.
Borough officers responded shortly before 10:30 p.m. Jan. 23 to the 100 block of West High Street for a report that a dog was left outside.
A Cold Weather Advisory was in effect for the region at that time. On Jan. 23, the National Weather Service forecast showed temperatures rapidly falling from the low 30s to single digits or below zero by early morning Jan. 24, accompanied by west-northwest winds gusting 25-35 mph.
Under Pennsylvania’s Libre’s Law, dogs cannot be tied up outside for more than 30 minutes when temperatures are below 32 degrees or higher than 90 degrees.
A witness reported to investigators seeing the dog outside for about an hour, according to police. Investigators said they returned the animal inside the home after 30 minutes.
Further investigation revealed there were multiple prior calls to the home regarding the dog being left outside for extended periods, police said.
The man is scheduled to return to court for a preliminary hearing tentatively scheduled for 3 p.m. March 12 before District Judge John Capobianco. A judge will then determine if there’s sufficient evidence to send the case onto the Northampton County Court of Common Pleas.