CREST–A Crest resident was arrested over the weekend for severely beating his 4-month-old male Siberian husky, causing such bad injuries the animal had to be euthanized.
On Saturday night, Phillip Shawn Rich, 26, brought the puppy, named Knight, to a veterinary hospital, where veterinarians ultimately determined the puppy’s injuries were so grave euthanasia was the only humane option.
Rich’s description of how the puppy was injured was inconsistent with the severity of the dog’s injuries. Hospital staff contacted San Diego County Animal Services and an animal control officer was dispatched to investigate.
After interviewing Rich and another witness, the animal control officer arrested Rich at 12:30 a.m. Sunday. He was taken into custody and subsequently booked on a felony charge of animal abuse.
He is being held on $25,000 bail.
The investigation is continuing and will be turned over to the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office for review.
Rich is currently scheduled for a San Diego County Superior Court arraignment in Department 2 at the El Cajon Courthouse on Wednesday, Jan. 25 at 1:30 p.m.
