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WILKES-BARRE — A preliminary hearing was continued Monday for Jeffrey William Norton Jr., of Scranton, who is charged with neglecting a dog left in a cold attic with no food or water.

Wayne Harvey, a police officer with the SPCA of Luzerne County, rescued a Pit Bull named Diesel from 305 Ridge St., Freeland, on Nov. 30.

According to the criminal complaint:

Harvey responded to the residence on a complaint from a neighbor. The neighbor directed Harvey to an attic door that was screwed shut.

After Harvey removed the screws, an extremely emaciated Pit Bull emerged from the attic that had trouble walking down the stairs.

Harvey noted temperatures were below zero that night and the attic was not equipped with heat or shelter for the dog. There was no water or food and feces and urine littered the attic floor.

Harvey took protective custody of Diesel, who weighed 35.8 pounds.

Diesel was near death due to emaciation. The dog was slowly nourished back to health and became more lively and energetic, the complaint says.

Norton, who formerly resided at the Freeland residence, refused to speak with Harvey.

Harvey charged Norton with four counts of neglect of animals.

A preliminary hearing in Luzerne County Central Court scheduled for Monday was continued until March 19.

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By Ed Lewis

[email protected]