FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: July 12, 2012

Media Contact: Jacquie Toppings, Director of Marketing & Communications       

202-683-1841,  jtoppings@washhumane.org

Sean Delontay Branch  Arrested on Felony Animal Cruelty Charge in “King Tut” Puppy Case

Man accused of killing a sleeping 6-month-old puppy

Washington, DC – Sean Delontay Branch, 24, of the 1000 block of 18 ^th Street NE, was arrested July 11 in Clinton, Md., on one count of felony animal cruelty. He is suspected of killing a 6-month-old brindle and white puppy by dropping a  la rge  100-lb.  bl ock   of  ce me nt  on  the dog’s  h ead  whi le   he was s le e pi ng.  T he i nci dent   occur red June 29  beh ind t he  Ci rcle  S e ven  Express  s t ore  at   1 2 09  Mo unt  Oli vet R oad  NE.  Branch was arraigned July 11 and his preliminary hearing is scheduled July 31. He faces up to five years in jail and a $25,000 fine.

The Washington Humane Society Humane Law Enforcement Department received a report of a dog who had had a brick dropped on its head at a convenience store on the morning of June 29.  Upon arrival, officers found the body of the dog, named King Tut, who had died as a result of his injuries.

“A helpless puppy suffered a horrifying death at the hands of a callous human who showed no regard for the life of an innocent animal,” said Scott Giacoppo, Vice President, External Affairs & Chief Programs Officer, Washington Humane Society. “This extreme act of cruelty—one of the worst I have seen in my career—is indefensible, and we look forward to bringing to justice the person who committed this vile crime.”

The Washington Humane Society's Humane Law Enforcement Department, comprised of four full-time Humane Law Enforcement Officers, investigates over 1,400 complaints of animal cruelty each year. To report animal cruelty and neglect 24 hours a day, seven days a week, call 202-BE-HUMANE.

  

ABOUT THE WASHINGTON HUMANE SOCIETY

The Washington Humane Society, the only Congressionally-chartered animal welfare agency in the United States, has been the leading voice for animals in the District of Columbia since 1870. As the only open-access shelter in the nation’s capital, no call for help goes unanswered, and no animal is ever turned away. The Washington Humane Society provides comfort and care to nearly 30,000 animals each year through its broad range of programs and services including: sheltering, adoption, humane law enforcement, spay and neuter, humane education, human – animal rehabilitation programs and lost and found services. For more information, please visit  www.washhumane.org.

###

Mug shot available upon request.