Man charged after dog is found stabbed

A Cloquet man faces a felony charge of mistreating or torturing an animal after he allegedly stabbed a dog in the neck.

According to the criminal complaint, Shayne Jason Thompson, 42, banged on the door of his girlfriend’s father’s residence on Jarvi Road on Feb. 3, allegedly yelling accusations about the daughter at the homeowner and accused him of lying for her. It was reported that Thompson had a knife in his hand.

The homeowner said he went upstairs and Thompson left, but when he came back downstairs he noticed his dog was lying on the floor, shaking. When he rolled the dog over, he saw what appeared to be a stab wound to the neck. He told police he did not see the incident, but that the dog was uninjured and lying on the couch before Thompson came in.

The homeowner requested police put the dog down as it appeared to be gasping for air and suffering. According to the criminal complaint, police located Thompson in a vehicle a short time later. They could allegedly smell fresh marijuana coming from the vehicle and found that Thompson had a fresh laceration on his hand, which was still bleeding. They located the knife — as described by the homeowner — in the vehicle as well.

Thompson posted a non-cash bond on Feb. 10 and was released from jail following the initial hearings on Feb. 4 and Feb. 7. He was granted a public defender and an omnibus hearing in the case is set for March 9.

Thompson has a lengthy criminal record including convictions for fourth-degree burglary, receiving stolen property, first-degree criminal damage to property, fifth-degree assault and driving while impaired along with other lesser charges.