On Saturday, 26-year-old Nicholas Dalton Nanes took his mother's miniature pinscher/Chihuahua mix and decapitated it with a knife, Cary Police said.
Nanes has a history of assault charges and at one point was charged with habitual misdemeanor assault.
He is charged with felony cruelty to animals and larceny of a dog.
Nanes was given a $40,000 secured bond and ordered not to possess or own any animals.
According to court documents, this is the second case of a dog death involving Nanes within the past three years.
Nanes' next court appearance is November 6.