A Hamilton man has been charged with animal cruelty after an emaciated pit bull terrier mix was found abandoned at the Butler County Airport.

Mario Alberto Degollado, 30, of 2011 Madison Ave., is facing first-degree misdemeanor charges of abandoning animals and cruelty to companion animals for allegedly not feeding the dog then leaving it to fend for itself.

A complaint regarding a skinny, gray dog at a Madison Avenue residence led Deputy Kurt Merbs of the Butler County Dog Wardens Office to investigate. Merbs had been to Degollado’s residence a couple months prior following a complaint regarding the condition of the same dog, but both times he was unable to locate the dog on the property, according officials at the Animal Friends Humane Society in Hamilton.

After some questioning, Degollado admitted to Merbs that he dumped Smokey, a 2-year-old pit bull terrier mix, at the airport, where a passerby found him and brought him to the humane society. The dog only weighed 35 pounds.

“We are so happy that someone found him and brought him to us.” said Meg Stephenson, executive director for Animal Friends Humane Society. “Cold weather is upon us and Smokey is in no condition to be left outside with no food, water or shelter. His emaciated condition is one of the worst we have seen this year, and there is no excuse for someone to let an animal suffer like that.”

Adore-A-Bull Rescue, a Cincinnati-area pit bull rescue group, has offered to assist with Smokey’s recovery and placement.

“Our rescue strives to bring awareness and education of bully breeds.” said Melissa Merchant, Adoption Coordinator for Adore-A-Bull Rescue. “Responsible pet ownership is emphasized in our everyday work. No animal should be subjected to the cruelty that Smokey endured, and we are glad to partner with Animal Friends to give him a second chance at life.”

Degollado has relinquished ownership of Smokey to Animal Friends, where he is currently being housed and cared for until Adore-A-Bull Rescue has a foster home lined up for him.

He is scheduled to appear in Hamilton Municipal Court at 8 a.m. Nov. 6.