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Dog strangled in yard of Phoenix home, police say

Ruben Ezekiel Garcia was arrested Sunday by police and charged with animal cruelty.

PHOENIX — An Arizona man is accused of animal cruelty after police found his dog strangled in the front yard of his Phoenix home, KNXV reported.

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Ruben Ezekiel Garcia, 38, was arrested Sunday and is being held without bond in the Maricopa County Jail for animal cruelty and possession of drug paraphernalia.

When police arrived at Garcia's residence, they found a 1-year-old German shepherd tethered to a pole in Garcia's front yard, KNXV reported. Police said the dog's leash was connected to a chain collar at one end of the pole and was caught between two wooden slats.

According to police, the dog struggled to free itself and died of strangulation from his collar.

When he was arrested, Garcia asked police to allow his son to bring him a pair of pants. Police allegedly found a meth pipe inside one of the pockets, KNXV reported.