Matthew Weatherspoon, 19, the Denver man accused of stabbing his American bulldog puppy five times, today agreed to relinquish control of the dog and responsibility for the animal’s care, as part of a deal with prosecutors.
Prosecutors agreed not to use the fact that he has given up the dog in their case against him.
Weatherspoon faces a felony charge of aggravated animal cruelty. He told investigators that he knifed the 6-month-old dog in self-defense because the dog had bitten him.
Investigators found no evidence of a bite.
Weatherspoon was arrested and on June 29 told 9News that he had been placed in protective custody in the Denver jail because of threats from other inmates.
The dog, named Diamond, was found wandering near an apartment at 6875 E. Iliff Ave. early the morning of June 27. She was taken to Alameda East Veterinary Hospital for emergency surgery.
She is being cared for in a medical foster home.
Denver Animal Shelter officials said that they will announce when Diamond has recovered enough to be available for adoption.
