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Lancaster Man Charged With Animal Cruelty After Allegedly Punching Puppy

LANCASTER (CBS) — Misdemeanor animal cruelty charges were filed Wednesday against a 30-year-old Lancaster man accused of beating a 3-month-old Chihuahua, according to the sheriff's department.

A deputy allegedly saw Ricardo Miranda chasing a small puppy in Apollo Park in Lancaster on Monday and, upon catching the animal, holding it down with both hands, putting his weight against the dog, according to a statement released by the Lancaster Sheriff's Station.

The deputy heard the puppy yelping in pain and then saw Miranda pick up the canine by the front leg while allegedly punching the animal in the face five or six times with his fist.

Several children saw the alleged beating or heard the puppy, named Shifty, yelping.

The deputy took the puppy away from the suspect and arrested him for alleged cruelty to an animal.

The dog, which belongs to a friend of the suspect, appeared OK but was returned to the owner so that she could seek medical treatment if needed, sheriff's officials said.

(©2010 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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