JPD: Man beat, broke puppy's leg | Crime

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."

Photo provided by Craighead County Sheriff's Office.