CLARKESVILLE — A Habersham County man faces a felony charge of aggravated cruelty to animals after the death of an 8- to 10-week-old puppy on Northwest Wayside Street in Cornelia on Jan. 13.

Bobby Kyle Nelms of Demorest was arrested by Cornelia police and animal control officers on a warrant taken by Habersham County Animal Care and Control.

Animal control and police were called to the home about 10:45 p.m. Saturday after someone reported seeing a deceased puppy on the porch.

The puppy, a two-pound, short-haired, small breed canine originally was observed laying on a concrete slab porch, in a wire crate with no bottom, no shelter, no bedding, and no food or water, according to information provided by Animal Care and Control Director Madi Hawkins.

The deceased puppy was removed from the residence and necropsied by a licensed veterinarian to determine the cause of death.

“Hypothermia has been ruled cause of death,” Hawkins said. “No other possible cause of death was able to be determined. The two-pound puppy was provided no way to escape the below-freezing temperatures and wind that night, and suffered from frostbite on all four feet. The frostbite was so severe that the foot pads were blistered, discolored and, in some areas, blackened.

HCACC staff urges pet owners to use caution in freezing temperatures, and ensure pets that must be left outdoors are provided with adequate shelter; clean; dry bedding; and access to potable water.