JONESBORO — A Jonesboro man has been charged with felony animal cruelty for allegedly beating a 5-month-old German shepherd puppy that later had to be euthanized.
Craighead County District Judge Keith Blackman found probable cause Monday to charge 42-year-old Richard Darrell Tippen with the crime. The Jonesboro Sun reports that the judge set bond at $5,000 and scheduled an Aug. 27 hearing for Tippen.
An animal control officer testified that the puppy was found under a porch with no water and was crying out in pain. Prosecutors claim that Tippen beat the puppy and that it was later euthanized.
Authorities did not know if Tippen had an attorney.
Lawmakers passed a law in 2009 creating a felony animal cruelty charge.