MONMOUTH COUNTY – Authorities have issued a warrant for a Monmouth County man who is accused of leaving a pitbull to die inside a cage as the tide rose around him in Highlands.

The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office says 36-year-old Aaron D. Davis of Long Branch is believed to have abandoned the dog earlier this week.

An Eatontown woman walking her own dog in the area was able to rescue the pitbull named River in Veterans Memorial Park early Tuesday morning.

Jenniffer Vaz was able to pull the dog to safety and contacted the Monmouth County SPCA to provide him with care and shelter.

According to Christopher Swendeman at the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, they aren’t at liberty to “discuss any further details at this time as the investigation is continuing.”

The 1-year-old pitbull is now safe with the woman who rescued him and adopted him.

Jenniffer Vaz made the announcement on her Facebook page, saying she couldn’t be happier that River has a new home.

Swendeman tells Jersey Shore Online, “we’re asking for the public’s assistance in finding him, that’s the biggest thing we can stress right now.”

Anyone with information on Davis, where he is or if anyone witnessed the incident is urged to contact the Monmouth County SPCA Animal Cruelty Hot Line 877-898-7297 or the Highlands Police Department at 732-872-1158.