Sheriff's office says man jailed for stabbing small dog multiple times with hunting knife

SALISBURY, N.C. – Authorities in North Carolina say a man is accused of stabbing a puppy multiple times with a hunting knife.

Local media outlets say the Rowan County Sheriff's Office charged 22-year-old Phillip John Shoemaker with felony animal cruelty.

According to the sheriff's office, a neighbor said she saw someone hold down a dog with their knee and stab the dog in the stomach Thursday. The neighbor said they yelled at the person to stop, but the person then stabbed the dog in the neck. When confronted, the person is accused of saying the dog's owner gave him permission to "do away with the dog" after it bit him.

Shoemaker is jailed under a $5,000 bond. He is scheduled for court Dec. 14. Online records don't say whether Shoemaker has an attorney .