A Monmouth County judge has ordered the man accused of leaving a pit bull puppy inside a cage near the ocean to drown to remain in jail until his trial.

Long Branch resident Aaron Davis, 36, is accused of leaving the puppy, now named River, inside a cage at the water’s edge in Highlands on July 31. Due to the tide schedule, the dog would have drowned, if not for the efforts of a passer-by who rescued the dog from the cage.

Davis was charged with fourth-degree animal cruelty and must remain in jail until his trial.

A judge made the decision at a bail hearing Monday.