A Middle Island man facing animal cruelty charges for stabbing his pit bull to death says he did it in self-defense.

Lamont Yarborough, 36, says Buster, a 2-year-old pit bull, tried to attack him and his 8-year-old son early Tuesday morning. He admits to stabbing the dog three times and says he did it to protect his family.

Police say Yarborough had secured the dog in the bedroom and then went into the kitchen to get a knife. Yarborough told police he returned to the bedroom, and stabbed the dog while poking at him to get him out from underneath the bed.

?He's claiming that the dog attacked him, but his actions clearly show that he could have retreated and safely left the room and called the authorities,? Suffolk Detective Sgt. James Madden says. ?He didn't do that.?

Police say Yarborough's 8-year-old son was not hurt during the incident, but that Yarborough had a superficial scratch on his hand. However, it did not require medical attention.

Yarborough pled not guilty in court Tuesday and was released on his own recognizance. He is due back in court March 5.