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Dog's stabbing prompts petition, protest

Animal activists, angered by the stabbing death of a dog named Koda last month in Cary, gathered both inside and outside the Wake County Courthouse Monday with dogs, bowls and treats to lobby for the punishment of the suspect.

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RALEIGH, N.C. — Animal activists, angered by the stabbing death of a dog named Koda last month in Cary, gathered both inside and outside the Wake County Courthouse Monday with dogs, bowls and treats to lobby for the punishment of the suspect.
"Animals are the innocent. They can’t speak for themselves. They love us no matter what. They love us unconditionally. They don’t have a voice, so we have to be their voice," said Donna Lawrence, founder of Susie’s Hope, a nonprofit dedicated to education about and prevention of animal abuse.

Douglas Joseph Hagler, of 519 S. Harrison Ave., is charged with one count of felony cruelty to animals.

Investigators say Hagler repeatedly stabbed his Siberian Husky with a three-foot sword. Hagler was given a $5,000 bond following his arrest.

Aimee Bridges, also of Cary, was so disturbed by the crime that she organized a Facebook group, Justice for Koda, and gathered more than 20,000 signees to an online petition asking that Hagler be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

"I just wanted to really make a strong presence in our community so that something like this doesn't happen again," Bridges said.

Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman said prosecutors are taking the case seriously and will make sure justice is done.

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