BATH, NY (607NewsNow) – A Steuben County man faces a felony.

On October 22, Zacariah Hill, of Bath, was arrested and charged with aggravated cruelty to animals.

Hill, 23, is accused of leaving his dog Xena alone in a crate without food and water for at least five weeks. On October 4, authorities forced entry into Hill’s home due to the reported smell of decomposition. Hill was last seen leaving his residence 5 weeks before the initial 911 call regarding the odor.

Investigators found the decomposing dog, starved to death in the crate, and no human inhabitants. According to the Village of Bath Police Department, it is “evident that Xena survived for some time in the crate by eating her own excrement.”

Bath Police further allege that Hill turned down numerous resources and assistance in caring for the dog.