Hilton Head Island man cited for animal cruelty after neglecting severely injured dog

A Hilton Head Island man was cited for animal cruelty Tuesday after he failed to seek help for his severely injured dog for almost three weeks, according to a report from the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office.

A Beaufort County animal control officer investigating claims of animal cruelty at a home on Christopher Drive found a six-year-old pitbull suffering from either a broken back or damaged hind legs, the report said. The pitbull was unable to use her hind legs to move around and was severely malnourished, with her spine and ribs visible, the report said.

The pitbull's owner said his dog's "hips went out" nearly three weeks prior, but he did not have the money to pay for veterinary services, the report said. The animal control officer contacted the Sheriff's Office, asking law enforcement to press animal cruelty charges under Hilton Head's town ordinance.

The man was issued a citation for animal cruelty and given a Feb. 17 court date in Hilton Head Municipal Court. He signed over the dog to Beaufort County Animal Services so she could be euthanized, the report said.

This story was originally published January 28, 2016 at 9:23 PM with the headline "Hilton Head Island man cited for animal cruelty after neglecting severely injured dog ."