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Police arrest Ivan Lawrence for allegedly killing dog with sledgehammer

Posted at 9:13 AM, Apr 20, 2017
and last updated 2017-04-20 17:38:08-04

The Phoenix Police Department has arrested 49-year-old Ivan Lawrence for allegedly killing a dog with a sledgehammer last week. 

Police say on April 16 just before 9 p.m. a dog was hit by possibly multiple vehicles near 36th Street and Thomas Road. 

As a few people, including children, were gathered around the dog, police say Lawrence retrieved a sledgehammer from his nearby home and struck the dog in the head twice, killing it. 

Officers responded and documented the incident and the information was later seen by animal cruelty detectives. 

The detectives then contacted the owner of the dog and Lawrence. 

Officials say on Wednesday Lawrence was arrested and booked into jail on one count each of felony animal abuse and for failing to render aid.