MCDOWELL COUNTY, N.C. -- A man turned himself in after the community's response was outrage when two men fishing in the Catawba River said they found a small dog, dead in a bag.

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Charles Hollifield is now charged with felony cruelty to animals. The man turned himself in Thursday and police say he is cooperating throughout the investigation

“We just received some tips that led in that direction and it’s been a month-long intense investigation,” Richelle Bailey said, a spokesperson for the county’s sheriff’s department.

Following the arrest of Hollifield, the dog owner has spoken out. Michelle Autrey says Hollifield is her husband's cousin. On a Facebook post, Autrey responds to the wide criticism claiming ownership of the dog “Princess.”

Autrey says she's had the dog for 13 years and back in February the dog died of an apparent stroke. She asked her husband to dispose of the dog since they have no land to bury it.

Original reports claim the dog's mouth was bound. The sheriff's office said that turned out to be false, but an autopsy found the dog died from drowning.

“That's not the proper way to dispose of an animal. I think we can all find a place to bury it or contact animal control or the shelter if you're having problems with that, and someone can help you,” Bailey said.

Autrey says they are looking forward to their day in court.