NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. — A Perth Amboy man has been charged with torturing a Rottweiler by sodomizing the dog in what authorities are calling a case of “horrific abuse.”

The New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals charged Jose Rodriguez on Monday in the alleged sodomy of the female Rottweiler, which is owned by a neighbor.

The abuse took place Dec. 19, SPCA officials said. The 5-year-old dog, named Precious, was examined by a veterinarian before the charges were filed.

A nurse at Banfield Animal Hospital in Woodbridge on Thursday said the dog was brought there two days after the alleged incident and treated and released that day.

Rodriguez, 39, faces six counts of animal cruelty, including the abuse and torture and torment of a living animal, which carry a jail sentence up to six months and up to $6,000 in fines. A court date has been scheduled for Jan. 13.

Rodriguez has an unpublished phone number and efforts to reach him Thursday were unsuccessful.

“This is obviously an uncomfortable case for any law enforcement agency or any rational human being to deal with,” said New Jersey SPCA President Stuart Rhodes. “It is my hope that this animal will never be subjected to this horrific abuse ever again.”

Two young children were living with Rodriguez at the time of the alleged incident. The case has been referred to the state Division of Youth and Family Services, Rhodes said.

The SPCA is a privately run organization vested with legal power to investigate and bring complaints in animal cruelty cases.