Man accused of hanging puppy from tree in Alabama

JACKSON COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) -- Authorities jailed a man Thursday morning on charges that he hung a puppy from a tree in a wooded area.

Jasen Charles Howard, 42, was booked into the Jackson County Jail Thursday on charges of animal cruelty and drug paraphernalia possession.

Jackson County Chief Deputy Rocky Harnen said a witness saw Howard take the puppy into the woods. When the witness went into the woods to check on the dog, it was found hanging.

The puppy was taken in by animal control officials and is OK.

When authorities stopped Howard's car, he told them the dog had parvo but he didn't have a gun to put it out of its misery, Harnen said. A test for parvo on the puppy came back negative, he said.

Another dog found with Howard when he was stopped by authorities was taken by animal control.