This time of year you might expect to see a reindeer overhead but not a dog.
Tyler Smith was watching his father’s dog when it became obvious the hound needed to go do his "business."
But Tyler didn’t want to leave his second floor apartment, so he dangled the pooch off the balcony instead.
Cops also pointed out the dog was in a harness, not a leash.
"Saturday it was raining really hard during that time period and we believe he was doing it to let it use the bathroom," Greenville, South Carolina police told ABC News.
Jennifer Snow was walking by the apartment and saw the scene. Mortified, she quickly took a picture and posted it to Facebook. Heather Vincelette shared the picture and told ABC 13 "he needs to know that, no, you can't do that."
The photo spread quickly and police were called.
Smith has been charged with violation of the city's Animal-Care Ordinance, a misdemeanor.
The dog was unharmed.
ABC 13 talked to Smith's father who said he was "appalled by his son's actions" and in "no way" condoned them.