Woman accused of stabbing puppy says it's self-defense

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Story Created: Mar 15, 2010 at 3:38 PM EST

Story Updated: Mar 16, 2010 at 2:50 PM EST

UTICA, N.Y. (WKTV) - The woman accused of stabbing a six month old puppy in the head with a kitchen knife during a domestic dispute says she did so in self-defense.

Rebecca Spratt, 24, of Utica, said her boyfriend's bull terrier attacked her, and that is why she stabbed the animal.

Spratt said there is also a misconception about the dog. She said that even though he is only several months old, he is a large dog.

Utica Police charged Spratt with criminal mischief, torturing and injuring animals.

However, the Utica woman said her boyfriend's dog has attacked her before, and this time she wasn't going to allow it.

"While we was arguing, you know, the dogs...they get...I don't know what you call it - like, riled up or whatever," Spratt said. "So, the dog - he just started at me. I had a knife in my hand and I told him several times 'get the dog before I stab him.'"

Spratt said she stabbed the dog only once, despite rumors that she stabbed the dogged several times.
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