Amherst police: Man who fatally stabbed neighbor's dog after claims dog tried attacking him charged

AMHERST, Ohio - Charges have been filed against a man who Amherst police said admitted to stabbing his neighbor’s dog, Maya, after he said Maya tried to attack him.

Gerald Miller, 43, has been charged with cruelty to companion animals. He was released on $1,000.00 bond and is due back in Oberlin Municipal Court on March 19 at 8:30 a.m.

The incident happened on March 10 around noon in the 900 block of Red Tailed Ln.
                  
Miller said he was walking on the sidewalk with his daughter and his daughter’s dog when he passed by the yard where a medium-sized brown dog, Maya, was in.

Authorities said Miller told them Maya tried to attack his daughter’s dog and that he intervened. That’s when Miller said Maya went to attack him so he stabbed her in the upper back with a folding knife.

Maya then ran toward the house.

Robert Danicki, Maya’s owner, called 911 to report the incident as he was en route to get his dog to the emergency room.

Maya died on the way to the animal hospital.

Danicki told authorities he saw the incident from an upstairs window and he, along with another witness, said they never heard or saw any aggressive behavior from Maya. Authorities were told Maya and the other dog were familiar with each other and never had a problem before.

Neighbors also said Maya was a "very obedient and well-mannered dog."

Miller and his daughter’s dog were not hurt.