A Coal Grove man was incarcerated in the Lawrence County Jail last week after being convicted of cruelty to animals.

Ronald Viars, 37, of 207 Ridgeway St., was found guilty Thursday in Ironton Municipal Court of the charge. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail and one year of probation. He was also ordered to pay a $250 fine and full restitution for a veterinarian's bill.

On March 4, Sgt. Jason Bloomfield of the Coal Grove Police Department arrived at Viars' residence while Viars was not at home. Viars' dog, a boxer, had apparently not been fed.

"I initially thought the dog was dead," Bloomfield said.

Bloomfield described the dog as emaciated, with its ribs showing and hip bones protruding. The dog had rats crawling on it, and even though it had broken its chain, it did not have the strength to run away, he said.

The Lawrence County Humane Society took the dog to a veterinarian, and Bloomfield said he believes it is doing much better.

Viars was cited into court, and was convicted during a bench trial last Thursday, Bloomfield said.