Anton D. Peterson

DETROIT, MI -- A 22-year-old Detroit man will serve at least two years in prison for the brutal killing of his mother's dog.

Anton D. Peterson pleaded guilty after being accused of stabbing his mother's dog 21 times and then shooting it in the head Feb. 15.

The Michigan Humane Society animal cruelty investigators helped Detroit police and the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office investigate the case against Peterson.

"We saw the body of the dog, which was really traumatizing and not something you ever really want to see," said Cruelty Investigator Elise Ramsey.

Ramsey said it's believed Peterson shot the female dog in the head after it had already died of the stabbing injuries.

Peterson's mother, although reluctant at first, testified against her own son at the preliminary examination in March.

"She kept saying what if he did this to someone else or something else," said Michigan Humane Society Cruelty Investigator Elise Ramsey, who worked with Peterson's mother leading up to her testimony. " ... There's a huge connection between animal abuse and crimes against people and other things."

Peterson later accepted a plea deal with Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy's office.

Peterson pleaded guilty to torturing an animal and felony use of a firearm. In exchange, the prosecutor dismissed a charge of cruelty to animals.

"She was a really well-cared for loved dog," Ramsey said.