A warrant was issued Friday for a man wanted in connection with the heart-wrenching case of a dog that was left to die in the rising tide at a bayfront park in Highlands.

Aaron D. Davis, 36, of Long Branch, was named Friday as a person tied to the abandonment of the dog, now named River, who was left in a cage on the water side of a rock bulkhead before being rescued Tuesday morning by a woman who was walking her dog, according to the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office.

When asked why the prosecutor's office had issued a warrant for Davis, a spokesman said he could not "discuss any further details at this time as the investigation is continuing."

A pit bull was rescued from rising tide waters Monday morning by a dog walker in Highlands. (Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office)

A Highlands resident was walking her dog in Veterans Memorial Park at 6:15 a.m. Tuesday when their canine noticed the caged animal on the water side of the rock bulkhead, according to a Facebook post from the prosecutor's office.

Jennifer Vaz saw the black wire cage half-submerged along the bank of the bay and quickly called the Monmouth County SPCA. An animal control officer arrived and helped Vaz remove River.

Vaz told WABC-7 she plans to adopt River, who is estimated to be 10 months old.

Anyone who has any information on the whereabouts of Davis or that may have witnessed anything was asked to call the Monmouth County SPCA Animal Cruelty Hot Line 877-898-7297 or the Highlands Police Department at 732-872-1158.

Monmouth County Prosecutor Christoper Gramiccioni has said the person responsible for leaving River could faces three to five years in prison if it can be proven that the person acted intentionally.

Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @chrisrsheldon Find NJ.com on Facebook.