Walker, Minnesota (AP)

A Cass Lake area man was charged with two counts of second-degree murder Sept. 27 in the death of a neighbor who was stabbed in the chest while trying to protect his dog.

Michael Francis Anthony Wind was charged in the Sept. 24 death of Warren Tibbetts, 64, who was killed outside his home on the Leech Lake Chippewa Reservation while trying to protect his dog as the suspect allegedly urged Tibbetts’ dog to fight another dog.

Wind, 54, also was charged with one count of promoting animal fighting.

Tibbetts was stabbed outside, but got back into his house, where he died.

Sheriff Randy Fisher said Wind was arrested near Tibbetts’ house. Before he was taken to jail, Wind was treated for dog bites.

Tibbetts’ dog, described by the sheriff as “quite large” and “very gentle,” suffered injuries to its head and legs, but survived.

Wind was being held on $500,000 bail. His next appearance in Cass County Court was scheduled for 1 p.m. Oct. 3.