Authorities are expressing frustration with the legal system after an investigation into a serious stabbing indicated the person responsible was in the midst of serving another sentence.

The incident in question happened at the McLeod Building, located at 100th Street and Jasper Avenue, around 12:35 a.m. Sunday.

When officers arrived, they found the host of a house party – a man believed to be in his early 20s – with either a slash or stab wound to the trachea.

The victim was rushed to hospital and is listed in serious but stable condition after undergoing three hours of emergency surgery.

Blair Grieco, who was covered head-to-toe in blood, was arrested shortly afterward.

Police say the 20-year-old was already under house arrest for a previous offence, which he breached in order to attend the party.

"It's always frustrating when we have to re-arrest people," said Staff Sgt. Regan James.

"House arrest or conditional sentence orders – they are weak… There is only so much we can do as a police agency or as a probation agency to ensure those individuals are in fact in their residence where they are supposed to be."

Laurie Hawn, the Minister of Parliament for Edmonton Centre, endorses a proposed law that would eliminate house arrest and conditional sentences for violent and repeat offenders.

"That is the kind of individual who should not be able to live in his own home and be able to associate with other people," said Hawn.

"[It] just makes no sense at all – this bill will correct that."

Police believe the fight broke out after Grieco brought his dog to the party.

The 20-year-old's Facebook page indicates he had just purchased the animal on Saturday.

Grieco is scheduled to appear in court on Monday, answering to charges of aggravated assault, possession of a weapon and breach of house arrest.

With Files from Kevin Armstrong