WARREN — A Warren man was issued a capias for his arrest in Warren Municipal Court today in the death of a dog in his care.

Richard Senak, 39, of Belmont Street NE, was charged with a fifth-degree felony for prohibitions concerning companion animals. Judge Patty Knepp is overseeing the case.

Jason Cooke, president of The Healthy Hearts and Paws Project, announced on social media that the dog, Leonidas, passed away at 4:45 a.m. Monday, after enduring months of neglect.

According to a Warren police report, the man was initially brought to Cooke’s organization, claiming he found the dog July 11 near the COPS driving school and Robbins Pizza in Niles. The man told officials he attempted to care for the dog by bathing it and offering food, but the animal was unable to eat.

However, further investigation revealed discrepancies in his account.

The report says that on Sunday, a friend of the man informed authorities that the dog belonged to him and had been kept in a cage at his residence. The friend alleged that the man only brought the dog to the organization after it became unresponsive.

When confronted, the report states that the man admitted the dog had been in his care for about a year, left behind by his wife’s brother when he moved out. He described keeping the dog in a foldable cage in a home infested with cockroaches on the floors, walls and ceiling.

The man claimed he delayed seeking help because the dog would temporarily gain weight after eating, but then vomit and lose it again.

Cooke described the events leading to Leonidas’ arrival at the shelter as “heartbreaking” and the subsequent findings as “disturbing.”

Cooke via social media wrote, “A heartfelt thank you to the individual(s) who spoke up on behalf of Leonidas.”