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911 call released after Scottsdale service dog stabbed 100+ times

Posted at 11:48 AM, Mar 08, 2019
and last updated 2019-03-08 15:15:43-05

Scottsdale police records and a newly released 911 call give more insight into the brutal killing of a service dog and the subsequent arrest of its Scottsdale owner.

In the six-minute 911 recording, a veterinarian says the owner's family brought the 4-year-old Golden Retriever's body into the office to determine whether the dog was attacked by a coyote or killed.

Listen to the full recording in the video player above.

The dog was found dead at a Scottsdale home after 27-year-old Jacob Bushkin called family members to tell them the dog, named Cub, was dead.

“It’s clearly been killed with a knife…with a knife wound…several knife wounds,” the vet tells the dispatcher.

“It’s heart-wrenching and if somebody did this to a dog, they’ll probably do it to a person,” the vet continues. “Everyone here is traumatized by it. How could someone do this to an alive dog?”

The veterinarian says the family wasn’t sure how to go about the investigation and was worried for their adult son, who allegedly "has mental issues." The family also reportedly mentioned being afraid of a past roommate.

Scottsdale police records show that Bushkin said he let the dog out in the backyard, fell asleep, and when he went to let the dog back in several hours later, it was dead. Bushkin was reportedly “crying and distraught.”

A necropsy performed on the dog revealed that Cub had been stabbed more than 100 times and was alive during the attack. Officials say it appears the dog was stabbed with a knife and screw-driver-like object. A metal rake may also have been used.

Police located pieces of evidence throughout the home and backyard that appeared to have dog hair and a substance consistent with blood on them.

Police documents show officers spoke with numerous people during the investigation, including the former roommate, who told police the family agreed to let him break the lease “due to many concerns for Jacob’s mental health.”

The roommate said he was worried about Jacob and loved Jacob’s dog.

Bushkin was taken into custody on charges of killing a service animal and animal cruelty, both felonies.