Montana man charged with getting small dog drunk

HELENA, Mont. — A Montana man is charged with animal cruelty after his 20-pound dog was so intoxicated it couldn't stand up.

The Independent Record reports 49-year-old Todd Harold Schrier, of Helena, was charged after East Helena police responded to a report of an intoxicated dog at a bar. Officers found Arly II, a Pomeranian or Pomeranian cross, that couldn't walk.

Court records say an intoxicated person who claimed part ownership of Arly told officers that Schrier had given the dog about a "to-go up of vodka" on March 1.

The dog's blood-alcohol level was 0.348 percent. An alcohol level of 0.4 percent can be fatal in humans.

The dog was treated and is at a shelter until the case is resolved.

Schrier is scheduled to appear in court Thursday.