A 27-year-old man from Kotzebue is being charged with the

Shady Grove Oliver with

reports Jack Frankson Jr. faces multiple felony and misdemeanor charges of animal cruelty toward the dog named Ash.

According to charges filed online, Frankson is facing one charge of cruelty to animals to inflict severe pain and another for sexual conduct with an animal.

According to a GoFundMe page set up to raise funds for a reward, the Kotzebue Fire Department took in Ash as a puppy two years ago after finding her in the middle of winter.

The page says firefighters and EMT's adopted her to get her out of the arctic cold, and to keep her from being euthanized as a stray.

Oliver also reports that court documents alleged Frankson told officers he had been drinking vodka in the tower the day Ash died and he was “angry and suicidal.” Officers said he told them he went outside, got the dog and brought her back to the tower. There, he said, he strangled Ash with a rope and beat her.

Frankson made his first felony appearance in court on Tuesday.

He is expected back in court for a preliminary hearing on Aug. 8th.