Rhode Island: Deputies charge Kingston man, Ryan McIntosh, with abandoning dog

RHODE ISLAND -- A Kingston man who, sheriff deputies say, dumped his dog in the Town of Rochester on New Year’s Eve, is now facing animal cruelty charges.

Deputies on Sunday, Jan. 10 arrested Ryan McIntosh and charged him with the state Agriculture and Markets Law misdemeanors of abandonment and animal cruelty.

According to deputies, on Jan. 5, they were contacted by the Town of Rochester’s animal control officer, who told them an abandoned pit bull was found on Rock Hill Road in the Town of Rochester.

There were, deputies said, reported sightings of this dog in the Alligerville area since Jan. 1, 2016, but the dog was not rescued until the early morning hours of Jan. 5.

Information about the found dog was posted on social media on the “Lost Pets of the Hudson Valley” Facebook page, deputies said, and with the assistance of the public McIntosh was identified as the owner of the dog, “Tyson.”

Deputies said their investigation found McIntosh intentionally abandoned Tyson in that area on New Year’s Eve.

Tyson, deputies said, was deprived of food, water, and shelter, and exposed to freezing weather conditions for four days before he was found.

Deputies said Tyson required care from a local veterinarian and is expected to fully recover.

McIntosh was released on an appearance ticket, pending a Jan. 27 Rochester Town Court appearance.

(Hudson Valley One - January 11, 2016)