Man accused of killing puppy by forcing a knife down its throat

A 54-year-old is accused of killing a puppy by putting a knife down its throat. Photo: Michelle Kroll.

WARNING: Graphic content.

A man is accused of killing a woman’s puppy by forcing a knife down its throat while telling her, “this is the way we used to kill dogs in the bush”.

Stephen George Button, 54, was refused bail in the ACT Magistrates Court on Monday (10 January). While he has pleaded not guilty to his charges, documents tendered to the court on the day detail the allegations against him.

The documents allege the woman heard “a dog screaming” and arrived to find Button holding a knife in one hand while using his other to pin her three-month-old French bulldog to the ground by its neck.

“He is a nuisance of a dog and this is a lesson to you. This is the way we used to kill dogs in the bush,” he allegedly told her.

The woman allegedly saw Button in a pool of what she assumed to be her pet’s blood with the blade of a knife down its throat.

Button is also accused of assaulting the woman, including punching her in the face.

When applying for bail, which was opposed by the prosecution, his lawyer told the court he had an offer to live at Ainslie Village and proposed bail conditions, including that he live at the village and not contact the woman.

The prosecutor said the woman had expressed concerns for her safety if he was released from custody.

Magistrate Peter Morrison described the allegations as “relatively serious” and said Button’s criminal history included violent offending.

He said due to the defendant’s history of violence, he was satisfied the prosecution’s concerns were made out and refused bail.

Button is fighting charges of animal cruelty and assault. He will face a hearing over the matter on 4 May.