- James Kogut  [ 9/2/2004 - 09:07 ]   #

From cnn.com
TOOELE, Utah (AP) -- A man has been accused of stabbing a dog to death with a sword in retaliation against its owner, a hotel owner who had evicted him.

Daniel Painter, 30, was charged Tuesday with aggravated assault and cruelty to animals.

Police said Painter attacked a chow-Labrador mix named Kabu with a sword early Sunday.

Kabu's owner, Garth Jones, he was awakened early Sunday to the sound of a thud and a yelp.

Jones said he saw his dog being repeatedly stabbed by Painter, whom he had recently evicted from the Kirk Hotel in Tooele, about 25 miles southwest of Salt Lake City.

Jones said the man then threatened him and chased after him, but Jones was able to run into his office and call police.

Painter was evicted after he allegedly failed to pay his rent last month and attempted to negotiate a cheaper rate after complaining latex paint had hurt his health.