A Crestwood man was found guilty of killing his neighbor’s dog with a pocket knife in 2019.

John C. Ross III, 63, was convicted Sept. 1 of animal abuse by mutilating an animal while it is still alive, and unlawful use of a weapon —— both felonies. The judge rejected Ross’s self-defense claim for the 2019 incident, when Ross stabbed Teddy — a 3-year-old, 75-pound black-and-white border collie — seven times with a pocket knife while the dog’s owners watched.

According to a police report filed at the time, after Ross stabbed Teddy, he then stood on his property line with a gun and menacing look while Teddy’s owners tried to tend to the dog’s injuries before taking him to the vet, where he had to be euthanized due to the severity of his injuries.

“People love their dogs. They are members of the family, and as a result we have a responsibility of care for our pets. My office will treat these cases seriously, because they are serious,” St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell stated in a press release about the judgment.

Sentencing is set for Oct. 10.

The case was investigated by the Crestwood Police Department, and prosecuted by Bell’s Chief of Staff Sam Alton and Assistant Prosecuting Attorney John Paul Frisella.