The Toms River man accused of leaving his dog to die in a pickup truck after it fell into the Toms River last March faces trial on two counts of animal cruelty and one count of criminal mischief.

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Andrew L. Mayer, 28, was indicted today by an Ocean County grand jury and was released on his own recognizance to await a court date, according to information from the office of Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato.

The criminal mischief charge applies to "causing a substantial interruption in public emergency services," information from Coronato's office said.

Each count is classified as third-degree, with possible prison terms of five years each on conviction.

On March 1 of this year, Mayer allegedly drove the truck onto the ice covering the river, which cracked under the weight. He is accused of escaping while leaving his dog Rolo in the cab.

His alleged failure to call authorities when he reached shore spurred a massive rescue operation involving a U.S. Coast Guard aviation unit, air and marine units of the New Jersey State Police, local marine rescue crews, several police and fire companies, and first aid squads from Toms River, Beachwood, Pine Beach and Island Heights, authorities said.

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