PALM COAST, Fla. (AP) — A Florida man is charged with child neglect after allegedly leaving his 10-month-old baby in the care of his pit bull while he went to a bar.

The Flagler County Sheriff's Office says 41-year-old James Irvine of Palm Coast was arrested early Saturday.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://bit.ly/XyAeU8 ) reports the child'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 came home. A deputy reported the dog was sitting outside the room.

It's not known whether Irvine has an attorney.