A suspect has been arrested in conjunction with the death of a sleeping puppy, whom authorities say was killed by a cement block dropped on his head.



Sean Delontay Branch, 24, of 18th Street NE, was arrested Wednesday on one count of felony animal cruelty. Police say Branch dropped a 100-pound block of cement on the head of a six-month-old brindle and white puppy named King Tut.

The puppy's body was found June 29 behind the Circle Seven Express store at 1209 Mount Olivet Road NE.



If convicted, Branch faces up to five years in jail and a $25,000 fine.



"This is truly one of the most horrific acts of animal cruelty I have seen in my 20-year career," said Scott Giacoppo of the Washington Humane Society earlier this month. "No animal deserves to suffer such a painful and unspeakable death."