Florida man leaves dog to watch infant son

Florida man James Irvine has been charged with child neglect after leaving his infant son alone with the family dog, a pit bull. He was arrested last Saturday.

According to WESH News, he left the home to go drinking at a local bar, McCharacter’s. The child’s mother, who had been at work and left the baby in the father’s care, came home to find Irvine trying to get in through the garage. He admits to drinking.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal reported the bartender at McCharacter’s remembers serving Irvine. She waited on him until around 9:30 p.m. He was supposed to come back to pick up his tab. She was able to positively identify Irvine.

According to a police report, the baby was found crying alone in a room with the door shut. The dog itself was outside the room. The mother told investigators that she had called Irvine several times that night.

Irvine defends his actions by insisting the baby was not alone since their dog was present.

Irvine was booked into Flagler County Inmate Facility where he was later released on $1,500 bail.