Peoria Police property crimes detectives and Peoria Police animal control arrested 42-year-old Jeffrey Wright of Peoria on felony animal cruelty charges, April 6.

Peoria Police Animal Control Officers responded to an animal welfare call for service in the 25800 block of North 107th Drive in Peoria. The caller reported they witnessed the suspect abusing a dog by body slamming and kicking it repeatedly. They also advised the incident was captured on video.

The video shows Wright kicking the dog, body slamming it, punching it and putting his knee on the dog, causing the dog to defecate.

Animal control officers took the animal for medical care, where it was determined to have non-life threating injuries. According to the dog owner that night, the suspect was just visiting at the house when the incident occurred. The dog was returned to the owner and the case was turned over to Peoria Police detectives for additional follow up.

Detectives learned that the suspect had returned to the home and was staying at the residence on a regular basis. Detectives arrested Wright at the incident location without incident, processed him at the Peoria Police Department, and later booked him on a felony animal cruelty charge at the Maricopa County Jail. The dog was seized due to the suspect having a domestic relationship with the dog owner.

Police said they are grateful to the resident who notified them regarding this incident and are thankful for the city's animal control officers and property crimes detectives who are trained to speak for those who can’t speak for themselves and who protect pets and animals.