Battle Lake man charged in dog abuse case

FERGUS FALLS, Minn. - Animal cruelty charges have been filed against a 23-year-old man accused of slitting a dog's throat and leaving it for dead.

Benjamin James Stavaas, Battle Lake, Minn., is charged with two felonies, two gross misdemeanors and two misdemeanor charges related to torturing and mistreating a German shepherd mix.

The dog survived its injuries for several days and had surgery last week.