PALM COAST, Fla. (December 7, 2012)—James Irvine, 41, of Palm Coast, Fla., has been charged with child neglect after authorities say he left his 10-month-old baby in the care of his pit bull while he went to a bar.

The Flagler County Sheriff's Office said Irvine was arrested early Saturday.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal reported that the infant’s mother called police after learning Irvine left the baby alone while he went out to drink.

She was at work at the time.

A police report says he told her the "pit bull was watching the baby."

The child was in his bedroom with the door shut when she got home.

A deputy reported that the dog was sitting outside the room.