A Guyton woman is facing animal cruelty charges after officers located a dog chained up to a tree which nearly starved to death.

Last Monday, Guyton officers responded to a residence in the 400 block of Samuel Smalls Road on a medical call. When an officer saw the dogs condition, deputies with the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office Humane Enforcement Division were notified and responded to the scene.

The dog had no food, was extremely emaciated, and was chained to the tree with a chain and coat hangers.

Deputies charged Rosa Roberson, 51, of Guyton with cruelty to animals.

The dog was taken to Rice Hope Animal Hospital where he currently remains as he is being treated. Reports indicated the dog was living off of dirt and grass and nearly starved to death.

“She did tell deputies that her husband has been in jail for the past year, and it was his dog,” said ECSO spokesman Detective David Ehsanipoor.