Pittsburgh man accused of stabbing dog multiple times after argument inside apartment
PITTSBURGH —
A man is accused of stabbing a dog multiple times after having an argument with a woman inside a Pittsburgh apartment.
Authorities were called to an apartment on Sheffield Street for a man who was holding down a dog and stabbing it on the front stoop of the home.
According to police, when they arrived, Corey Hayward was kneeling and holding down the dog named Champ, stating that the “dog needs to be put down.”
Officials say the dog appeared to have multiple deep lacerations.
Officers say they spoke with Champ’s owner who they said was visibly upset, crying and screaming.
Champ’s owner told officers she had locked Champ in a bathroom when she began to argue with Hayward, who she said was intoxicated and making statements about the devil.
During their argument, Hayward allegedly walked over to the bathroom and opened the door.
Hayward allegedly taunted the dog and began to swing the blade in front of him.
Champ’s owner said when she saw the dog bleeding, she ran from the apartment and asked a neighbor to call 911.
When talking with police about the incident, Hayward claimed the dog attacked him first after Hayward let him out of the bathroom. He did not give a reason why he let the dog out of the bathroom.
Authorities say Hayward was the aggressor in the situation and he was taken into custody.
According to the criminal complaint, Champ’s owner did not have a vehicle and had to abandon the dog to animal control so he could be taken to an emergency hospital.
It was required for her to abandon the dog in order for animal control to transport it to a hospital.
Hayward is facing charges of aggravated cruelty of animals.