Rehoboth Man Issued Summons in East Providence Animal Case

A Rehoboth man has received a summons in connection with a severely emaciated dog that was left in a box in front of an animal advocacy organization Monday morning.

Carlos Alvarez, 46, who lives on Providence Street in Rehoboth, was issued a summons Wednesday for unnecessary cruelty to animals and animal abandonment, Lt. Raymond Blinn said.

On Monday morning, a severely emaciated dog was found in a box outside the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals' office at 186 Amaral Street. The dog had exposed muscles and bones.

Because a lot of the incident happened in Massachusetts, the charges will be reviewed, Blinn said.

Police had received credible information linking the dog to Alvarez and contacted him, Blinn said. He cooperated and met with police and the RISPCA.

Alvarez said that the dog had been ill for a while and that its health had continued to deteriorate, Blinn said. He said he didn't have money to pay for treatment and accepted full responsibility.

Alvarez did not actually drop the dog off, Blinn said, but he owned the dog for about two years. No other person has been charged in connection with the case.

Alvarez called the dog Harry, Blinn said. The RISPCA has called him Indy, because he was found on Independence Day.