Man files dog's teeth down for chewing

NASHVILLE, April 2 (UPI) -- A grand jury in Tennessee will take up the case of a man accused of punishing his dog for chewing by filing the animal's teeth down almost to the gums.

Chris Barnett faces felony charges of aggravated animal cruelty for his treatment of Lucas after the dog apparently chewed on wire fencing near his home, WSMV-TV in Nashville reports.

At a preliminary hearing Tuesday in McMinnville, Tenn., testimony by a witness to the abuse brought representatives of the Warren County Humane Association to tears.

"You don't teach a dog not to chew by beating him and then filing his teeth off," said General Sessions Court Judge Larry Ross. "It was just a sadistic beating."

If convicted of aggravated animal abuse, Barnett could be sentenced to two years in prison and fined $3,000.

The district attorney says people from all over the country called in support of Lucas the dog.