Authorities in Coweta County are investigating a weekend incident where a pit bull was stabbed several times during an adoption event at a Newnan pet store.

The Newnan Times-Herald reported that the pit bull named Clara got loose from her leash at the Newnan PetSmart store Sunday afternoon and bit a West Highland White Terrier.

According to the report, the terrier’s owner tried to get Clara off his dog before stabbing her several times with a pocket knife.

The terrier suffered minor injuries, according to the Times-Herald.

The pit bull was later euthanized because of the extent of her injuries.

Sandy Hiser with the Newnan-Coweta Humane Society told the newspaper that Clara’s wounds were “so extensive that if she did pull through, it would have impacted her quality of life.”

Hiser said a Newnan police officer who responded to the store told her that the terrier’s owner had a right to defend his dog. The case was turned over to Newnan Animal Warden Cyndi Hoffman, according to Hiser.

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Julian Conley listens during opening statements in his trial at Fulton County Superior Court in Atlanta on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. The 25-year-old is accused of fatally shooting 8-year-old Secoriea Turner in July 2020. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com