PHOENIX — A man was arrested after police found his dog strangled to death in his front yard.
On Sunday, Phoenix police responded to a home near 7th Street and Buckeye Road for a call regarding animal cruelty.
When police arrived on scene, they found a one-year-old German Shepherd tethered to a pole in the front yard of Ruben Ezekiel Garcia, 38. Police say the leash was connected to a chain collar on one end and was caught between two wooden slats.
This reportedly made it impossible for the dog to stand.
Court records show that Garcia left the dog for seven hours without food, water, and shelter. Blood was also found around the dog's head, according to police.
Police say the dog struggled to get free and died of strangulation from his collar. The dog had visible signs of rigor mortis, according to court documents.
Upon his arrest, Garcia requested that his son grab a pair of pants for him. Inside the pants police reportedly found a meth pipe.
Garcia is being held without bond for animal cruelty and possession of drug paraphernalia.
