Man Accused of Fatally Stabbing Dog in Penns Valley

Charges are pending against a man accused of killing a dog while under the influence of psilocybin mushrooms on Saturday in Penns Valley.

Robert N. Lewis, 41, of Centre Hall, allegedly stabbed an American bulldog, Axel, multiple times just before 8 p.m. in Miles Township.

Lewis consumed two beers and psychedelic mushrooms then ran out onto East Main Street, where Axel followed him, a witness told state troopers. Two people chased after in an attempt to corral the dog and, after hearing him make a strange noise, found Axel sitting in a pool of blood with stab wounds on his back leg and hip area, according to an affidavit of probable cause.

Axel was taken to VCA Metzger Animal Hospital and underwent surgery but later died.

Witnesses, including Miles Township Fire Company members who responded to the scene, reported Lewis was running wildly in the street with a knife in his hand “until he began to experience an apparent cardiac emergency,” police wrote. Fire company members performed life-saving measures, including administering two doses of the opioid overdose medication naloxone.

Troopers arrived and found Lewis had blood on his clothes and body and a blood-stained pocket knife was on the ground nearby, according to the affidavit.

Lewis was taken to Mount Nittany Medical Center for treatment. While in an ambulance, he spit on and bit a paramedic, police wrote.

He remained in the hospital under the watch of medical personnel and state police, according to the affidavit. Police issued a warrant for his arrest, and a preliminary arraignment has not yet been scheduled.

Lewis is set to be charged with felony counts of aggravated cruelty to animals and aggravated assault of a designated individual, along with a misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct and a summary count of public drunkenness and similar conduct.