Heartbreaking trail camera pictures show abandoned puppy waited for NINE HOURS before being rescued after being dumped 'in the middle of nowhere' by heartless owner (6 Pics)

Oklahoma authorities have cited a man who was caught on camera dumping an adorable puppy on a remote trail, leaving the pooch waiting for his owner for nine hours before animal rescue retrieved him. 

The Oklahoma Animal Alliance took to Facebook on Sunday to share that the dog, renamed Rocket, had been left just outside of Tulsa. 

'This is absolutely not ok. Dumping a poor defenseless animal in the middle of nowhere and driving away is cruel,' the organization said in the post.

The Oklahoma Animal Alliance took to Facebook on Sunday to share that the dog, renamed Rocket, had been left just outside of Tulsa

'This is absolutely not ok. Dumping a poor defenseless animal in the middle of nowhere and driving away is cruel,' the organization said in the post

'While we understand that people may be struggling to care for their pets due to COVID, there are resources and organizations here to help, including us.

'Doing this to living, feeling being should never be the answer. This beautiful dog was taken to a rural area and abandoned by someone he likely trusted. The dog waited 9 hours for his person to return. His person didn’t.'

Rocket was left on a trail off 66th Street North and Mingo. Photos show the dog waiting patiently for his owner to return. 

Rocket was left on a trail off 66th Street North and Mingo. Photos show the dog waiting patiently for his owner to return

OAA rescue team retrieved the dog and made sure that he was vetted and fed

OAA rescue team retrieved the dog and made sure that he was vetted and fed.

'Rocket was lucky,' they added. 'Trail cameras caught the act in progress, and rescuers were able to respond. If cameras weren’t rolling, who knows what fate would have befallen Rocket.' 

People rushed to identify the man in the group's post, which eventually led to his citation. 

The Tulsa County Sheriff's Office shared on Tuesday Facebook post that the man was identified and cited for abandoning the puppy. 

The Tulsa County Sheriff's Office shared on Tuesday Facebook post that the man was identified and cited for abandoning the puppy