Police: Man breaks puppy's leg in robbery attempt

LAUREL, Del. (AP) - October 19, 2008 It happened Saturday afternoon at Pampered Pets in Laurel. Police say the store owner noticed that a Pomeranian puppy was missing from its pen and spotted a man walking away from the store with the dog in hand. The dog is valued at $700.

The man, later identified as 45-year-old Haywood Relysee, ran away, and the owner chased him. When the owner caught up to him, Relysee allegedly attacked the owner while swinging the puppy by its legs.

He ultimately gave the puppy back and tried to flee but was apprehended by troopers. The owner then discovered the puppy's leg was broken.

Relysee was charged with second-degree robbery and cruelty to an animal. Police say he was drunk at the time of the incident.

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