An argument between a couple in Southwest Florida ended with a bloody scene and a dead dog. The woman's dog was stabbed to death allegedly by her boyfriend, police said.

Mike Lado, 26, was arrested and charged with felony animal cruelty for stabbing the boxer-Labrador mix, named Blue, twice.

Lado returned to the home he shares with his girlfriend from drinking Wednesday, Lee County Sheriff's Office said. He and the woman got into an argument and Blue growled and barked at Lado, police said.

The 26-year-old allegedly got upset about Blue always taking his girlfriend's side. Police said that's when Lado grabbed a kitchen knife and attacked Blue, who followed the man into the kitchen.

The woman said Blue had calmed down before he was stabbed, according to police. Blue died shortly after the incident.