by Wesley Harris
A man who allegedly caused the deaths of two dogs was arrested by Ruston Police Wednesday.
Phu Thien Nguyen, 27, of Ruston, was charged with two counts of aggravated cruelty to animals. He was arrested on warrants obtained by RPD investigators.
Ruston Police Lieutenant Kayla Loyd said RPD patrol officers responded to a residence in the 2100 block of Sleepy Hollow at about 1:00 p.m. on September 8 regarding a welfare concern.
During the investigation, officers learned that two dogs had been killed. The dogs had been locked in a hot car and left there, Loyd said. The deceased animals, according to the owner’s family, were Crue, a Labrador Retriever, and Stevie, a Goldendoodle, both belonging to Nguyen’s girlfriend.
Police found in the deceased animals in a wooded area, Loyd said.
Officers determined the incident involved a domestic situation and threats of self-harm.
Nguyen was taken into custody and transported to Northern Louisiana Medical Center for evaluation. He was subsequently placed under a protective custody order due to statements indicating suicidal ideation.
Investigators continued the investigation, and an arrest warrant was obtained for Nguyen for two counts of aggravated cruelty to animals. The arrest was delayed by Nguyen’s presence in a medical facility.
On Wednesday, September 16, Nguyen was released from a medical center in
Ouachita Parish. He was booked at the Ouachita Correctional Center and then transferred to the Lincoln Parish Detention Center where he was booked on the warrant.
Nguyen’s bail is set at $100,000.
Under Louisiana law, aggravated cruelty to animals occurs when a person intentionally or with criminal negligence mistreats any living animal by any act or omission which causes or permits unnecessary or unjustifiable physical pain, suffering, or death. Penalties include a fine of $5,000-$25,000 or one to ten years in prison, or both.
The investigation remains ongoing. Lt. Loyd said additional information may be released as the investigation progresses.
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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