In Florida, a dog that courageously protected its owner during a knife attack is being commended by the police. The incident occurred just before 9 p.m. on Thursday when a woman was sitting in her parked car outside a residence in Dover.
Law enforcement reported that a 40-year-old man named Joshua Mueller, who was outside the vehicle, engaged in an argument with the woman and broke the driver’s side window with his fist.
According to a statement from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Mueller subsequently entered a house, returned with a “large kitchen knife,” and started slashing at the woman’s arms.
The sheriff’s office said in a statement that, “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 authorities did not provide details on how the attack concluded, but stated that Mueller was apprehended without any issues when law enforcement arrived. According to reports, the woman and her dog are now in the process of recovering.
“This is a sad and reprehensible act of domestic violence and animal abuse that will not be tolerated in our county,” Sheriff Chad Chronister stated. “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.”
The sheriff’s office stated that Mueller provided a complete confession. Nonetheless, in a filing on Tuesday, the defense sought to affirm his entitlement to stay silent and to have legal representation.
Mueller is facing charges of committing severe cruelty to animals with a weapon and causing serious bodily harm with a weapon. According to Law&Crime, he was granted release on a surety bond just two days later.
The authorities did not disclose the victim’s identity or provide any further information about the dog.
