Man accused of animal cruelty

JENNINGS — A man is facing animal cruelty charges after police found a severely malnourished dog Sunday at a Jennings residence

John Hargarve Jr., 40, is charged with simple cruelty to animals. He was issued a citation and released.

The case has been forwarded to the Jeff Davis Parish District Attorney’s Office, where the charges could be upgraded to aggravated cruelty to animals, authorities said Wednesday.

The Jennings animal control officer and Jennings police officers found the dog Sunday after responding to an animal complaint at a residence on Davis Street.

Upon arrival, officers found a black Labrador Retriever in need of medical attention. The dog appeared to be extremely malnourished and was too weak to walk or stand on its own, authorities said.

The dog was taken to a local veterinarian where it remains under care. The dog has undergone multiple blood transfusions and other medical treatments.