Woman on Milwaukee's north side calls attack and stabbing of her service dog 'unprovoked'

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A woman on Milwaukee's northside says her dog was brutally attacked and stabbed by a stranger. She is calling the attack unprovoked and frightening. 

Karen Kohler has lived in her home on Milwaukee's northside for 28 years. 

"I've never had any problems. It's a very peaceful neighborhood," said Kohler. 

Until last Thursday when her 5-year-old service dog Lilly accidentally slipped through the screen door and got outside unattended. 

"She went right over here," said Kohler pointing to the edge of her driveway. "And the man stopped, and I don't know why he stopped because he could've kept right on walking, but he didn't." 

Kohler describes her dog as gentle and affectionate. She says Lilly would never hurt someone. 

"She greeted you. She saw who was coming in the house, she didn't bark, she didn't jump on you," said Kohler petting Lilly who is now spending a lot more time laying around on the couch, unlike her usual playful self. 

"He took a knife to our dog. Took a knife to behind her neck. Took a knife in her lower back," said Kohler. 

Outside there are still blood spatter marks from where Lilly was stabbed. 

 "All of these spots are blood from Lilly," said Kohler walking around the front of her home. "This is where he was hitting, kicking her and this is also where he took the knife out at Lilly." 

She was rushed to the vet after losing a lot of blood and treated for stab wounds. She underwent surgery and had to have a tube put in to help drain a pocket under her skin. 

"Emotionally, I'm not sure. Lilly's not herself. She is sleeping the day. I'm very concerned about Lilly. Sometimes I have to shake her to make sure she's alright. Will she ever go back to being her happy little self? I don't know." 

Lilly has another vet checkup next week. Kohler is now concerned her service dog isn't safe anywhere. 

Kohler filed a police report. Police are still looking for a suspect.