OKC Man Accused Of Animal Cruelty After Police Find Bloody Puppy

Oklahoma City police arrest a man after finding him holding a 10-week-old puppy whose lower lip had been partially severed.

On April 29 around 5:45 a.m., someone called police to an apartment in the 4300 block of S.E. 46th Street. When an officer arrived he found 39-year-old Deneoval Derrick holding a small puppy. The officer noticed the puppy's face, chest and legs were covered in blood, and its lower lip was severed and hanging from its face.

The officer thought the puppy may have been attacked by another dog. When the officer asked Derrick what happened, comments the suspect made led the officer to believe Derrick was responsible for the animal's injuries.

Police are not saying what led to the puppy's injuries.

The officer arrested Derrick and booked him into the Oklahoma County jail on two complaints of animal cruelty. Animal welfare took custody of the puppy.

Derrick was released from the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in November 2011 after serving nearly 15 years for child abuse.