That's thanks to Susie's Law, which increased the penalties for those convicted of animal cruelty.
One man in Stokes County faces a felony charge and some serious jail time because police say he stabbed a dog.
Brian Phillip Hole was arrested Tuesday night at his home in Walnut Cove.
Stokes County sheriff's deputies were called to his house after receiving a call that a dog had been stabbed.
When authorities arrived, they say they found a dog with injuries to its neck and head.
"In the process of their investigation, he became belligerent and uncooperative with the officers, and they were simply trying to answer the initial call and do an on-scene investigation of what it was about during that time, the individual who was identified, Brian Hole, became aggressive and belligerent in his approach with the officers," said Chief Deputy Craig Carico with the Stokes County Sheriff's Office.
While officers were trying to control Hole, Stokes County Animal Control came to take care of the dog and conduct their own investigation.
"Animal Control, if they were able to obtain additional information that went even beyond out initial charge, they could also go before a judicial official and present what evidence they have found in the case," said Carico.
Hole is charged with felony cruelty to animals, assault on a government official, and resisting a public officer.
The police report says Hole was under the influence of alcohol and that he kicked and stabbed the dog.
The investigation is not over. In fact, authorities were at his house Friday asking more questions.
"Animal control would have some type of involvement in making a determination on what the status of the dog should be," said Carico.
Animal Control says they only have limited information right now because they're in the middle of their investigation.
Saturday morning, News 2 received a call from Chief Deputy Carico saying Animal Control removed the dog from Hole's home.
(WFMY - May 4, 2013)
