Dog's throat slit
Great Falls , MT (US)

Incident Date: Saturday, Aug 6, 2011
County: Cascade

Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Alleged

Alleged: David Boyken

Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

A Great Falls man allegedly slit the throat of his Jack Russell terrier Saturday - with police nearby.

The Jack Russell survived; the man was arrested and cited for misdemeanor cruelty to animals.

Great Falls Police Lt. John Sowell said police responded to the area of 911 14th St. S.W. on a report that 49-year-old David Boyken was threatening his neighbors with a knife at about 2 a.m. Saturday.

Sowell said the man's dog had gotten out of his yard and the neighbors were returning it. Boyken, who allegedly was intoxicated at the time, became upset and waved a knife, Sowell said.

The neighbors told police that they did not fear for their safety. However, when officers were getting ready to leave the area, they observed Boyken go into the woods with the dog.

"Officers heard the dog yelp so they went to investigate and they found him (Boyken) in the process of cutting the dog's throat with a knife," Sowell said.

The dog suffered several serious cuts requiring stitches and will have scarring, but is expected to be fine, Sowell said.

"The Jack Russell's going to make it," he said.

Personnel from the Great Falls Animal Shelter rushed to the scene and members of Great Falls Fire/Rescue assisted with the care of the animal until they arrived. The dog was taken to a veterinarian.

"I would assume we're not going to give the dog back," Sowell said.

Cruelty to animals doesn't become a felony until a second offense, Sowell said. He added that officers discovered a warrant for misdemeanor dangerous drugs while Boyken was being booked on the cruelty charge.

Case Updates

References

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