Police: Maryland man stabs dog, officer has to put down dog

NORTH EAST, Md. - A Maryland man was arrested after police said he stabbed his dog following a fight with another dog, forcing the responding officer to end the dog's suffering by shooting it Wednesday night.

Maryland State Police say a trooper responded to the 100 block of Seneca Court in North East for the report of a dog attack at about 11 p.m.

The trooper spoke to a woman who said her dog, a German shepherd, had been attacked by her neighbor's dog.

Authorities said the neighbor, identified as 25-year-old Reginald L. Farley II, had taken his dog back to his home in the 100 block of Louise Court where he stabbed the animal.

While speaking to the woman, the trooper reported hearing the sound of a dog yelping, coming from Farley's home on Louise Court.

Investigators say the trooper went to the home and met with Farley, who told the officer that the dog, a pit bull, had been stabbed and was now dead.

The asked to check on the welfare of the dog reported finding the dog wounded, but not dead, with a large knife protruding from its neck.

Officials said the trooper got permission from Farley to put the dog down with his gun to end the dog's suffering from its grave injuries.

Farley was charged with two counts of animal cruelty.