A man stabbed his girlfriend's dog to death with a kitchen knife because he claimed it always took her side in arguments, police say.

Mike Lado, 26, faces animal cruelty charges after detectives say he stabbed Blue twice with a kitchen knife as he rowed with his partner.

The two-year-old Boxer-Labrador cross barked and growled as the couple argued at their home in Lee County, Florida, according to US media reports.

Moments before stabbing the dog, Mr Lado complained that the animal always sided with his girlfriend, according to an arrest report seen by local TV station Fox 4.

Detectives found a trail of blood leading from the kitchen to the hallway where the dog slumped and died. Police believe he had tried to flee.

Mr Lado had reportedly been drinking for several hours before returning home and getting into an argument on Wednesday.

His girlfriend told police Blue calmed down before Lado reached for a knife and stabbed him. The dog bled to death in their home.

Mike Lado has been charged with animal cruelty (Lee County Sheriff's Office)

Mr Lado's girlfriend, who has not been named, had adopted Blue through the Gulf Coast Humane Society animal shelter.

Jennifer Galloway, the shelter's chief executive, described the dog's death as "a big kick in the gut".

"Dogs want to please. That's all they want to do, and all Blue was trying to do is protect his mom," she told NBC2.