An Apple Valley man has been charged with slashing the throat of his family's dog, then leaving the animal’s body on top of a pile of dirt in his back yard.

David John Galush, 52, is charged with felony animal cruelty, which carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

Apple Valley police were called July 12 to check on the welfare of Galush, who lives in the 13000 block of Pennock Avenue South, according to the criminal complaint.

A family member told police that Galush had called the day before and said that he had slashed his dog’s throat because he couldn’t afford to have the dog put to sleep.

When officers arrived, they found Galush passed out on the couch. They woke him up and found him “extremely intoxicated,” according to the complaint.

Galush told the officers that he had killed his dog, Buddy, and buried him in the back yard, the complaint says.

Police found a dead dog in the yard, lying on top of dirt that appeared to be freshly disturbed, according to the complaint. The dog had a large slash across its neck.

Galush is scheduled to make a first appearance on the charge Jan. 14 in Dakota County District Court in Hastings.