Two dogs stabbed - one 5 times - during burglary in Syracuse

Syracuse, N.Y. – A Syracuse man came home to his North Side apartment Saturday night to a terrible scene: His front door was broken down and his two dogs had been stabbed - one five times.

Jonathan Barry said he found the two dogs whimpering and bleeding on the floor in his apartment in the 300 block of John Street when he returned home at about 11 p.m.

The front door to his apartment was smashed in, his apartment torn up and multiple items were missing including his phone, Xbox, wallet and other valuables, Barry said.

“Everything else was replaceable, but dogs, they aren’t,” he said. “I love them so much.”

Tinkerbell, a 6-year-old pit bull mix, was stabbed at least five times in her stomach and abdomen, Barry said. Daisy, an 8-year-old pit bull, had several bad cuts and wounds.

Kieran Coffey, a spokesperson for Syracuse police, confirmed officers responded to the burglary shortly before midnight on Saturday. They found the dogs stabbed and the front door broken down, he said.

Barry, 43, who has owned the dogs since they were puppies, said he would be shocked if his pets had attacked an intruder.

“They are too sweet, which makes it even worse,” he said. “He might have attacked them just for sitting there. It’s evil.”

A woman who lives across the street described Daisy and Tinkerbell as “some of the sweetest dogs you will ever meet.” She said her granddaughter and other children in the neighborhood play with Daisy frequently.

Police brought the dogs to the Veterinary Medical Center in DeWitt where they were treated on the night of the stabbing, Coffey said.

The dogs are now back with Barry. He said veterinarians told him the dogs will be OK. They are both on antibiotics and other medications.

Tears rolled down Barry’s face as he described how he’s scared to return to his apartment. On Wednesday, the broken-down door still hadn’t been replaced. He is currently staying with a close friend nearby.

Syracuse police say that the investigation is ongoing and that there is no suspect in custody at this time.

Editor’s note: An earlier version of this article reported that Barry faced a $23,000 bill from Veterinary Medical Center. The center said, however, that there was no bill because it was covered by the city since police brought the dogs in.