Montana Man Charged with Getting Small Dog Drunk

A Montana man has pleaded not guilty to an animal cruelty charge after his 20-pound dog became so intoxicated it couldn't stand up.

The Independent Record reports 49-year-old Todd Harold Schrier, of Helena, was charged after East Helena police responded to a report of an intoxicated dog outside a bar. Officers found Arly II, a Pomeranian or Pomeranian cross, that couldn't walk.

Court records say an intoxicated person who claimed part ownership of Arly told officers that Schrier had given the dog about a "to-go cup of vodka" on March 1.

The dog's blood-alcohol level was 0.348 percent. An alcohol level of 0.4 percent can be fatal in humans.

The dog is at a shelter until the case is resolved.

KFBB-TV in Great Falls reports Schrier pleaded not guilty Thursday.