An Amityville man faced a judge Saturday on animal cruelty and tethering charges.

Investigators say Andre Staley's German shepherd, named Bella, was found tied up on a short wire cable outside the home without food or water and sitting in her own feces.

The Suffolk SPCA says the cable was so tight around her neck, it caused an infection and had to be surgically removed.

His lawyer tells News 12, Staley was visiting friends in another state and left a family member to care for Bella. But Suffolk SPCA Chief Roy Gross says that wire was around Bella's neck for quite some time.

Bella was taken to Babylon Animal Shelter for surgery. Bella will now need to be rehabilitated so she can be adopted.

"The dog was unsocialized, it lived its life basically tethered on a wire," says Gross. "A wire around its neck."

Staley made bail and was released. He will be back in court on May 16.