RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA — A pet owner was arrested on animal cruelty charges for killing a pit bull that mauled his dog to death over the weekend.

Rudy Jesus Barajas, 30, cut the pit bull’s throat after the dog took the life of his pet, a 10-month-old poodle mix named Spunky, CBSLA reported.

The incident took place on Saturday morning, when a neighbor’s 2-year-old pit bull ran into Barajas’ property and went straight for Spunky.

Barajas and other neighbors tried to stop the attack, but they were too late, as the pit bull had already clamped down on the poodle’s neck.

After the pit bull let go, Barajas grabbed the dog by its neck, dragged it into his kitchen and slit its throat with a knife.

The pit bull ran back across the street to its owner and collapsed. It died on the way to the animal hospital.

Some witnesses said the pit bull tried to bite people at the scene after it let go of the poodle, according to the Press Enterprise.

But according to the Riverside County Animal Services, Barajas acted out of spite when he killed the dog. The police are investigating and Barajas could face felony animal cruelty charges.