JONESBORO, Ark. (KTHV) -- A five-month-old puppy had to be euthanized Sunday after Jonesboro police say a man beat the dog and broke its leg.
Richard Darrell Tippen, 42, of Jonesboro was arrested on a felony charge of aggravated cruelty to a dog, cat or horse.
At 1 p.m., Officer Beth Grant of the Jonesboro Police Department was called to the 2500-block of Duncan Road on an animal abuse complaint. When she arrived she reportedly found a five-month-old German Shepherd mix puppy under the front porch of Tippen's mobile home.
Grant said the puppy had a broken leg and "blood coming from its mouth." She also reported the "dog was crying out as if it was in a lot of pain."
The puppy was taken to a local veterinarian's office for treatment. According to Officer Grant's report, Tippen's wife said she could not afford the $1,500 medical bill to repair the dog's leg.
The puppy was euthanized.
A neighbor told Officer Grant the puppy was "beaten on a regular basis."