If like really doesn’t attract like, oft-disgruntled NBA forward and aspiring rap star Ron Artest must be awfully pissed about String Cheese Incident’s retirement. After a neighbor blew the whistle on the h3tty Sacramento Kings star, Artest is now under criminal investigation on suspicion of animal cruelty:

A notice from animal control posted at the front of Artest’s Loomis home indicated he is under investigation for failing to feed and nourish the dog.

Neighbors said the dog is often left alone in the yard for months at a time without food and water. They said animal control has taken custody of his dogs on at least three other occasions.

Our friend Chilly Jackwater alerted us to this astonishing ::malnourishes dog:: development, and he recently also overheard Artest complaining that “The Bomb Factory is over-fuckin’-rated, man. You heard??? OVER-RATED. I’ll take anything from December ‘95 over that bunk shit any fuckin’ day, puh-leez.” No word on whether Ronnie loves Punch You in the Eye above all other Phish tunes.

You ask me, I think Artest’s doctors been slinging him bunk meds for years…

Here’s an older shot of Artest in action on the Pacers from WoadieJones: