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Charges filed after puppy found dead with mouth taped shut in Scottsdale

Lester Paul Richmond, 36, is being charged with one count of intentionally subjecting a domestic animal to cruel mistreatment.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Charges have been filed against a man after a husky puppy was found dead with its mouth taped shut in a Scottsdale alley back in June.

Lester Paul Richmond, 36, is being charged with one count of intentionally subjecting a domestic animal to cruel mistreatment, Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell announced on Wednesday.

“Cruelty to animals is a senseless and heinous crime. My office takes these crimes very seriously,” said Mitchell

The charge is a class five felony, Mitchell said in a video posted to YouTube. She said a class five felony is the highest level of punishment for animal abuse a person can face under Arizona law.

The investigation into the puppy's death began with a 911 call made on June 23, when a resident near McDowell and Hayden roads discovered it.

In July, Scottsdale police were able to use surveillance video to identify Richmond as a suspect in the dog's death, Mitchell said.

Richmond and a woman were arrested at the time but later released.

MORE DETAILS: Arrests made after dead husky puppy found in Scottsdale alley

Now, Mitchell is asking the public for help locating Richmond so that he can be taken into custody.

"It is important that if anyone has any bit of information on this defendant you contact the Scottsdale Police Department,” said Mitchell.

Scottsdale police can be reached at 480-312-TIPS.

Watch the video from the Maricopa County Attorney's Office below.

Silent Witness:

Arizona's Silent Witness program allows people to send in tips and share information about crimes happening within their local communities.

The program shares unsolved felony case information in multiple ways, including TV, radio and social media.

Anyone who has information on a crime or recognizes a suspect described by the program is asked to call 480-948-6377, go to the program's website online or download the Silent Witness app to provide a tip. The identity of anyone who submits a tip is kept anonymous.

Calls to Silent Witness are answered 24/7 by a live person and submitted tips are accepted at all times. Submitted tips are then sent to the detective(s) in charge of the specific case.

Individuals who submit tips that lead to an arrest or indictment in the case can get a reward of up to $1,000.

Have a tip? Submit it on the Silent Witness tip form here.

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