OAKLAND — A man suspected of strangling a pit bull mix puppy and threatening to kill another dog with a knife Saturday in Adams Point was arrested for felony animal abuse, police said Monday.

The name of the suspect was not released pending a review of the case by the district attorney’s office.

Police were able to convince the man to drop the large knife he was wielding and surrender without using any physical force, authorities said.

Police said they received reports of the man abusing the dogs in the 200 block of Grand Avenue just after 2 p.m. Saturday.

Police said the man was trying to strangle a pit bull puppy by swinging it around with a leash attached to its collar. He was also threatening an adult pit bull with a knife, telling on-lookers trying to intervene before police arrived that he would kill the dog, police said

The man ran a brief distance when police arrived but surrendered soon after officers confronted him.

Police spokeswoman Officer Johnna Watson said Monday the officers “did an excellent job of de-escalating and resolving” the tense situation.

“They were able to establish communication, which resulted in (the suspect) dropping the knife and surrendering,” she said.

The dogs were taken to the Oakland Animal Shelter. They did not suffer any serious injuries, authorities said.

Police are investigating if the man might be connected to three other cases of severe dog abuse where three puppies were found mutilated in an East Oakland trash pile over the Memorial Day weekend. They are still recovering from their injuries and a $15,000 reward for information is being offered in those cases.

Anyone with information about any of the dog abuses is asked to call police at 510-238-3728.