A transient has been cited with animal cruelty after allegedly getting an 11-week-old puppy drunk over the weekend.

Boulder police spokeswoman Shannon Aulabaugh said police got a call from a technician at an emergency veterinary clinic at 8:43 p.m. on Friday when an 11-week-old shepherd mix named Stella Luna was brought in with alcohol poisoning.

Aulabaugh said police believe the puppy’s owner, Scott O’Neal, got the puppy intoxicated before giving it to someone he knew on University Hill. That person took the puppy to the veterinary clinic.

The puppy may have ingested beer, whiskey and mouthwash, but Aulabaugh said police are trying to find an animal clinic or lab that can run blood tests to determine exactly what was in the animal’s system.

“This is sadly something animal control responds to from time to time,” Aulabaugh said.

She said police are not sure yet where the drinking took place.

O’Neal, 45, was cited on Sunday with animal cruelty. He has 10 days to request a hearing to determine if he can retake possession of the puppy, which is currently being housed at the Humane Society of Boulder Valley.

Mitchell Byars: 303-473-1329, byarsm@dailycamera.com or twitter.com/mitchellbyars