The downstairs tenants of a man and his Rottweiler were used to hearing the dog pacing or barking in the apartment above.

So, when they hadn't heard any canine sounds for a few days, they called the Bethlehem police, Chief Eric Lougee said.

They told police they were worried the quiet dog might be suffering, because its owner, George McAlpin, was out of town for two weeks and had left the dog behind.

When Lougee entered the Main Street apartment, he found the dog locked in a bathroom, with no food or water.

He said the dog had been stuck there and the place was a mess.

"He was extremely happy to see people," said Lougee. "He drank two huge bowls of water and ate two large bowls of food, and was still eating snow in between. Neighbors said he appeared to have lost some weight."

The dog is now in custody of the town, Lougee said, although McAlpin will be returning in a few days.

McAlpin told police he had asked Jessica Fenwick, a friend in Littleton, to take care of his dog.

Fenwick was brought into the station for questioning, said Sgt. Rick Ball. She told police she had fed the dog, but wasn't able to get to it again because of the weather.

Fenwick may face charges of animal cruelty, said Ball, which could entail a fine and suspended jail sentence.

"The chief is waiting to charge her. He's going to try to get an affidavit or warrant from the judge," Ball said. "It's cruel when the dog is locked in there for days, with the heat turned up. Anyone can live a few days without food, but not without water."

Lougee said the last time the town investigated an animal cruelty case was in 1999..

Reference:

the Caledonian-Record