Police say a Salt Lake City man landed in jail Tuesday after allegedly stabbing his own pit bull several times during an argument with his girlfriend over where the dog could sit. The dog was rushed to a local veterinary clinic with injuries described by officers as not life-threatening. Officers detained 37-year-old Derringer John Dade and booked him into the Salt Lake County Jail.
Police Affidavit Describes Violent Outburst
According to a police booking affidavit, officers responding to a domestic-violence call were told Dade had been drinking all morning and became aggressive when his girlfriend would not allow the dog on the couch. The affidavit states Dade "grabbed the dog and started to slam the dog on the ground, then grabbed a kitchen knife and started to stab the dog near the face" until the knife broke and the attack stopped. The woman told officers she stayed because she was worried about the dog. Those details, along with the list of allegations, were reported by KSL.
What the Charges Can Mean
According to the affidavit, Dade was booked on multiple counts, including investigation of aggravated cruelty to an animal, public intoxication, assault, threatening to use a weapon in a fight, and making a threat of violence. Under Utah law, "aggravated cruelty" includes torturing, poisoning, or killing an animal and can be charged as a class A misdemeanor. The statute also provides that a person who intentionally or knowingly tortures a companion animal may face a third-degree felony. Those categories and the legal language are outlined by the Utah Legislature.
Pets, Power, and Domestic Violence
Advocates and law-enforcement experts note that harming or threatening a pet is a common tactic to intimidate and control intimate partners, and many victims delay leaving because they fear what will happen to their animals. Research and guidance for officers indicate that threats or injuries to companion animals frequently occur alongside domestic abuse and can signal a higher lethality risk for survivors. The FBI's Law Enforcement Bulletin and other studies have documented this connection and recommend coordinated responses that protect both people and animals, while safe-haven foster programs and the federal PAWS Act are designed to reduce the barrier that pets can pose for survivors trying to escape.
Police say the pit bull in this case was treated at a local veterinarian, and its injuries were not life-threatening. The investigation remains active, and prosecutors will decide whether to file formal charges. The affidavit also states that Dade threatened the woman and was investigated for threatening to use a weapon and for making threats of violence. Local reporting includes contact information for domestic-violence resources for anyone in immediate danger, as noted by KSL.
