Arizona man accused of felony animal abuse arrested in Alabama

TROY, Ala. - A man wanted by police after a dead puppy was found in a Scottsdale neighborhood alleyway with its mouth taped shut has been arrested in Alabama.

Lester Paul Richmond was indicted, Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell announced on Dec. 20, on suspicion of class 5 felony animal abuse.

"Under Arizona law, a class five felony is the highest level of punishment for animal abuse a person can face," the MCAO news release read.

Arizona animal abuse suspect arrested in Alabama

A man accused of animal cruelty in Arizona was arrested in Troy, Alabama. Scottsdale Police say 36-year-old Lester Richmond was being investigated after a puppy with its mouth taped shut was found dead in an alley.

Scottsdale Police named Richmond as the suspect after reviewing evidence and surveillance video from the incident, which happened last June.

On Feb 16, authorities announced Richmond was arrested in Troy, Alabama and booked into jail.

Richmond is expected to be extradited to Arizona in the next 30 days, the Maricopa County Attorney's Office said.