Toms River Man Whose Dog Was Found Dead In Truck In Icy River Appears In Court

TOMS RIVER, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A New Jersey man whose dog was found dead in a pickup truck that plunged through the ice after he allegedly drove it on to a frozen river has told a judge that he will represent himself in the case.

Toms River resident Andrew Mayer, 27, appeared Monday in the town's municipal court, the Asbury Park Press reported. He was charged with criminal mischief following the incident and now also faces an animal cruelty charge.

Authorities have said Mayer's 2-year-old boxer mix, Rolo, was found dead after the truck sank March 1. Another man got out of the truck just before Mayer took it onto the ice. Neither man was injured.

A witness said the truck began spinning around in circles after reaching the center of the river. Investigators said Mayer had been joyriding on the ice.

The New Jersey SPCA charged Mayer with one count of failure to provide proper care by recklessly endangering an animal's life and the animal dying as a result.

Mayer's friends and relatives said he loved the dog and tried to save it.

The truck was removed from the river Monday.

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