An altercation outside an Atlantic City residence led to bloody fight that killed a dog and wounded two men.
Police were called to Trenton Terrace at 4:12 a.m. for the report of a fight, police said.
Joseph Dixon and Deontay Mickey-Evans were bleeding from stab wounds, Sgt. Paul Aristizabal said.
Dixon was also tending to a dog who was bleeding heavily from apparent stab wounds, according to the report.
The altercation began between Dixon, Mickey-Evans and Angel Hernandez-Contreras, according to the investigation.
Things escalated when Hernandez-Contreras allegedly threatened Mickey-Evans and a woman with a knife.
The woman, Jordan Banner, then went inside and got her dog while Dixon got a hammer to thwart the attack, according to the report.
Dixon and Mickey-Evans were stabbed by Hernandez-Contreras, who also stabbed the dog, Aristizabal said. The dog died as a result.
Dixon, Mickey-Evans and Hernandez-Contreras were all taken to the AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center's City Campus for treatment of injuries during the fight. None of the injuries were considered life-threatening.
Hernandez-Contreras, 28, of Atlantic City, is charged with two counts of aggravated assault, along with unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and cruelty to animals.
Dixon, 33, of Atlantic City, was charged with aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.
Banner, 33, also of Atlantic City, was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon and cruelty to animals.
Mickey-Evans, 21, of Willingboro, Burlington County, was charged with aggravated assault.
All four were released on summonses.