Man charged with animal cruelty after stabbing dog in stomach, neck
A 22-year-old Salisbury man has been charged with animal cruelty after allegedly stabbing a dog.
SALISBURY, N.C. — A 22-year-old Salisbury man has been charged with animal cruelty after allegedly stabbing a dog.
On Dec. 10 at about 11:50 p.m., Rowan County Sheriff’s deputies responded to 110 Highland Park Dr. in Salisbury to what was described as a community domestic incident that involved cruelty to a dog.
Deputies arrived to meet a witness in the front yard who said she had seen a man she knew as only Phillip attack a small breed dog. The witness said she saw the man holding the dog down with his knees, while stabbing the dog in its stomach and neck. Other neighbors had come outside once they heard the dog yelping.
Deputies saw a large blood spot in the roadway where the attack was reported to have taken place. The dog was located inside the residence of the witness, and had several puncture wounds to its stomach and several stab wounds in the neck area. Witnesses said the suspect had used a fixed blade knife, about eight inches long.
Authorities located the suspect at 112 Highland Park Dr. but he would not immediately answer the door. The homeowner arrived on the scene and allowed deputies to enter. The suspect, Phillip John Shoemaker, was located still wearing the blue jeans that he had on during the attack on the dog, as the pants were covered in blood. Deputies took pictures of the scene and were able to locate the knife that was used during the attack.
Shoemaker was arrested and charged with felony cruelty to animals. He is in the Rowan County Detention Center under a $5,000 bond. His court date is set for Dec. 14.
There is no current information about the condition of the dog.