PONTIAC, Mich. -- Police have arrested the man they said stabbed a puppy to death while it was playing in its backyard in Pontiac last week.

Candace Worthington, who was dog-sitting, said she watched her neighbor, Paul Anthony Polasek, 43, use a stick to stab the dog in its side. She said within minutes, the shepherd-pit bull mix died.

"He was a baby, maybe 11 or 12 months old. It was a really good dog, a really cute dog," Worthington said.

The dog named Tesso was playing with another family dog in the back yard in the 100 block of Ruth Avenue when Polasek jumped the fence and attacked the dog, Worthington said.

Polasek's father denied his son is responsible.

"I don't know. We've had a dog all our life," his father said. "Paul's a dog lover. Why would Paul? He can't even jump that fence in the back."

Polasek is out on bond. Polasek has a previous arrest record including trespassing, driving under the influence, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.

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