- Arizona, USA -
The Scottsdale Police Department arrested 32-years-old HEATHER AUDITOR and 35-years-old LESTER PAUL RICHMOND (both pictured) in connection with a Husky puppy who was found dead in June 2023.
In a news release police said that an investigation was launched on June 27, 2023, after the puppy’s body was discovered by someone who was walking in an alley near Miller Road and Latham Street in Scottsdale. Police said the furbaby appeared to have his/her “mouth taped shut.” Scottsdale Police tells me the puppy was estimated to be eight-twelve weeks old. His/her name and gender could not be confirmed.
As part of the investigation, police canvassed the neighborhood, interviewed residents, and looked for surveillance cameras that may have captured the area where the Voiceless Victim was found. Eventually, they were able to find a video depicting RICHMOND’s vehicle “in the alley during the time frame the puppy was left there”, stated the release.
Not only were investigators able to identify RICHMOND as the registered owner of the vehicle, but they were also able to obtain video surveillance of him and AUDITOR talking about getting rid of the puppy.
AZFamily reports that court paperwork states that security video from a neighbor showed the driver of the car with an AZ Pet Friendly license plate turning into the alley with his arm out of the window while holding a cord that touched the ground. At the end of the cord was an “object” the same shape and size as a puppy that was being dragged along. The vehicle stopped for a few seconds in the same spot where the furbaby was found. The driver was RICHMOND.
Police said AUDITOR works as a cashier at a Circle K nearby on McKellips, and after the incident, security footage from inside the store showed RICHMOND saying: “I dropped our friend off little ****”.
Police said AUDITOR and RICHMOND were arrested on Thursday, July 20, 2023, during a traffic stop near Miller Road and Pierce Street.
Later on, a search warrant was served at their residence where additional evidence relating to the case was collected. The red tape used to muzzle the puppy’s mouth was found at the couple’s home.
According to AZFamily, RICHMOND denied his involvement in the death of the puppy but AUDITOR admitted the puppy was hers and that she had brough him/her home a month prior.
AUDITOR and RICHMOND were booked at the Maricopa County Jail each on one count of animal cruelty.
Additionally, AUDITOR was charged with one count of hindering prosecution.
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Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.
Mugshots provided to Voice For Us by the Scottsdale Police Department.
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