OREGON CITY, Ore. -- A father turned his son over to authorities after finding six dead puppies Thursday.

Joshua Stitt was charged Monday and faces seven counts of first-degree animal abuse.

John Stitt, the suspect's father, said he called the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office after he found his son had killed a litter of puppies and destroyed a kennel.

"I guess he killed them with a long steel bar," Stitt said.

"(It's) very upsetting, not easy for a father who loves his child very much to turn him in for such a horrific thing. But I felt he might move on from animals to people," Stitt said.

Stitt said his son's problems started before the puppies were killed.

On Sept. 4, Stitt said he came home and found his son covered in blood.

Stitt said his son had stabbed a dog to death and was bragging about slitting its throat with a three-inch pocket knife because the dog had nipped at his leg.

"He killed it for that and it was in a dog run. He didn't even need to be over there where the dog was," Stitt said

Stitt said the Marines discharged Joshua in May for mental health issues.

"I want him to get medical help. I want him to get a good doctor. I want him to have medication that will keep him calm and I want him to realize his problems," Stitt said.

Joshua Stitt's bail is set at $150,000. He will be back in court Sept. 28.

Father Turns In Son After Finding Dead Dogs