A dog in Florida that was stabbed while defending its owner during a knife attack is being hailed by police as a “brave pup.”
Just before 9 p.m. Thursday, the woman was sitting in her parked car outside a home in Dover. Police said Joshua Mueller, 40, who was outside the vehicle, got into an argument with the woman and shattered the driver’s side window with his fist.
According to a press release from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Mueller then went inside a home, came back with a “large kitchen knife” and began slashing at the woman’s arms.
“During that time, the victim’s dog came to her defense, to which Mueller used the knife to stab the dog’s face and chest area,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement. Police said the dog was stabbed when it came to its owner’s defense.
Authorities did not explain how the attack ended, but said Mueller was arrested without incident when law enforcement arrived.
The woman and dog are recovering, per reports.
“This is a sad and reprehensible act of domestic violence and animal abuse that will not be tolerated in our county,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement. “While this individual cools off and faces the consequences of his violent actions, our heart goes out to the victim and their brave pup, and our deputies are working to get them the help they need to move forward.”
Joshua Mueller, 40, was arrested and charged with aggravated cruelty to animals with a weapon and aggravated battery with a weapon resulting in great bodily harm.
The sheriff’s office said Mueller gave a full confession. However, a defense filing Tuesday aimed to assert his right to remain silent and right to legal counsel.
Mueller has been charged with aggravated cruelty to animals with a weapon and aggravated battery with a weapon resulting in great bodily harm.
Authorities did not publicly identify the victim or offer additional details on the dog.
Think she needs to be more careful with who she affiliates with in the future.