RFP Staff
♦ **Warning: The following graphic description may disturb some readers.**
Phillip John Shoemaker, 22, said to be living on the Streets of Salisbury, allegedly took an 8-inch hunting knife and began brutally stabbing a puppy named “Buddy” held down by Shoemaker’s knees. The alleged attack happened prior to midnight at 112 Hyland Park Drive in Salisbury. Buddy, a small mixed-breed pup, squealed loudly as knife tore repeatedly into neck and belly, leaving blood spatter on Shoemaker’s pants and ground.
A neighbor Faith Cox, horrified by the animal’s brutalization, pleaded loudly with Shoemaker to stop. He continued stabbing the pup until it got away and ran to Faith Cox’s house a short ways away. She called 911.
When a Rowan County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived at the neighbor’s home they found Buddy suffered multiple stab wounds to his neck and a puncture wound to his belly.
The deputies went to the home where Shoemaker was currently house sitting and Shoemaker let the deputy inside. They noted Shoemaker’s bloodstained clothing and the dog’s condition. Allegedly Shoemaker kept insisting that the dog owner Destiny Fullen Goss, 23, gave him permission to kill the dog.
Shoemaker was arrested and charged with cruelty to animals (felony). Under a $5,000 secured bond, Shoemaker is being held at the Rowan County Detention Center.
Buddy’s condition is not yet known. He was removed Friday afternoon by Rowan County Animal Control Officers. They charged the dog owner Destiny Fullen Goss with cruelty to animals (misdemeanor) with neglecting to take Buddy to a veterinarian for medical treatment following his stabbing. Buddy is being treated at private veterinary clinic and not at Animal Control.
Phillip John Shoemaker’s Previous Record:
**This story will be updated as more information arrives.**
Destiny Fullen Goss:
