Pennsylvania Man Allegedly Stomps Puppy To Death, Attacks Investigating Officer

A Pennsylvania man allegedly attacked an officer investigating him for animal cruelty after he reportedly stomped a neglected puppy to death. 

Richard Jukes Jr. of Altoona, Pennsylvania was arrested on several charges on November 13 after officers responded to a call about an injured animal at his home, according to Fox News.

Police arrived to find a flea-infested month-and-a-half-old Chihuahua with a severely damaged skull.

"It was later discovered that RICHARD JUKES JR. stomped on the puppy’s head causing severe trauma and ultimately killing the dog," reads a press release posted to the Altoona Police Department Facebook Page.

Police asking Jukes for more information about the puppy were allegedly attacked by Jukes, who landed a punch on one officer's face.

The charges Jukes now faces include aggravated cruelty to animals, aggravated assault of a police officer, resisting arrest, obstruction of justice, recklessly endangering another person, and disorderly conduct, according to police. 

He is being held at the Blair County Prison on a $75,000 cash bail.

Eight other neglected animals — three dogs and five cats — were found at the home and removed by the Central Pennsylvania Humane Society.  

Stacy Friday and Stephanie Obssuth, two women at the house at the time, were also arrested. Their relation to Jukes is unclear.

The charges levied against them, meanwhile, include nine counts of animal cruelty and three counts of endangering the welfare of a child, since three children under the age of 10 were discovered in the home, which was also reportedly infested with fleas.

Friday's bail was set at $40,000; court documents were not immediately available for Obssuth, according to WJACTV, a Johnstown, Pennsylvania-based NBC affiliate.

[Photo: Altoona Police Department Facebook Page]