Man jailed in Lee County for stabbing his dog 22 times, animal safe with loving family

LEE COUNTY, Ala. (WRBL) – A Columbus, Ga. man has been convicted of animal cruelty after a brutal stabbing left his dog severely injured. The case, which involved a dog named Hank being stabbed 22 times, drew widespread attention for the disturbing nature of the crime. Following a thorough investigation and trial, the defendant, Andrew Childs, now faces jail time and restitution payments for his actions.

Prosecutors say this week on October 8, 2024, Lee County Circuit Court Judge Jeff Tickal sentenced Childs to four years, splitting the sentence so Childs will serve six months in jail followed by three years of supervised probation. Childs was also ordered to pay $12,904 in restitution, which he completed just prior to sentencing.

The sentencing follows a bench trial where Childs was convicted of Cruelty to a Dog in the First Degree. On Oct. 22, 2021, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office received a call reporting an injured dog at a business off US Highway 280 in Smiths Station, Alabama. A Lee County Animal Control officer found the dog close to death, under a car surrounded by a large amount of blood. The dog had been stabbed multiple times.

The officer rushed the dog to the Animal Health Center in Opelika, where Dr. Buddy Bruce examined the animal, identified by a microchip as “Hank.” Dr. Bruce found that Hank had been stabbed approximately 22 times, primarily in the upper chest, with a small blade. Although Andrew Childs, identified as Hank’s owner, claimed the dog was sick and needed to be euthanized, Dr. Bruce found no evidence of illness or any condition other than severe injuries.

Childs admitted to law enforcement that he drove Hank from Columbus, Georgia, to a remote area in Lee County, where he stabbed and abandoned the dog, believing it was the only way to euthanize him. Despite the severity of his injuries, Hank survived and received extensive care from Dr. Bruce.

Chief Assistant District Attorney Clay Thomas led the prosecution in the case, which was bolstered by the work of Investigator Greg Sumner and the Lee County Animal Control team. Their efforts were credited with not only securing the guilty verdict but also saving Hank’s life. After recovering, Hank was adopted by a new family and now resides happily in Pennsylvania.

Assistant District Attorney Thomas praised all those involved, including Dr. Bruce, who took time away from his veterinary practice to provide expert testimony during the trial.

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