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| Eight months' jail for cat killer | |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| A man who pleaded guilty to torturing and killing cats in East Renfrewshire has been jailed for eight months. | A man who pleaded guilty to torturing and killing cats in East Renfrewshire has been jailed for eight months. |
| Anthony John Docherty killed three of the cats. All were decapitated, two were scalped, and one had its tail pulled off. | Anthony John Docherty killed three of the cats. All were decapitated, two were scalped, and one had its tail pulled off. |
| Paisley Sheriff Court heard psychiatric reports that Docherty's behaviour could escalate towards humans. | Paisley Sheriff Court heard psychiatric reports that Docherty's behaviour could escalate towards humans. |
| Sheriff Neil Douglas also banned the 23-year-old from owning, keeping or taking charge of animals indefinitely. | Sheriff Neil Douglas also banned the 23-year-old from owning, keeping or taking charge of animals indefinitely. |
| Docherty, who is from Clarkston, East Renfrewshire, committed the offences in January. | Docherty, who is from Clarkston, East Renfrewshire, committed the offences in January. |
| He caused the animals unnecessary suffering by screaming at them, pinching them and taping their paws together. | He caused the animals unnecessary suffering by screaming at them, pinching them and taping their paws together. |
| It is clear that this could be the start of similar behaviour towards human beings Jonathan MansonDefence agent | It is clear that this could be the start of similar behaviour towards human beings Jonathan MansonDefence agent |
| He was charged under the Animal Health and Welfare Act of 2006. | He was charged under the Animal Health and Welfare Act of 2006. |
| After pleading guilty last month, Docherty was granted bail with special conditions which prevented him from having any contact with animals. | After pleading guilty last month, Docherty was granted bail with special conditions which prevented him from having any contact with animals. |
| Appearing for sentencing on Monday, the court heard from Docherty's defence agent, Jonathan Manson. | Appearing for sentencing on Monday, the court heard from Docherty's defence agent, Jonathan Manson. |
| Talking of his own grave concerns, he said: "It is clear that this could be the start of similar behaviour towards human beings. | Talking of his own grave concerns, he said: "It is clear that this could be the start of similar behaviour towards human beings. |
| "There have been reported cases in the past where this type of behaviour has led on to other kinds of criminality. There is a risk that this could escalate." | "There have been reported cases in the past where this type of behaviour has led on to other kinds of criminality. There is a risk that this could escalate." |
| In addition to jailing Docherty, Sheriff Douglas also put a disqualification order in place under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act, to protect him from harming all animals. | In addition to jailing Docherty, Sheriff Douglas also put a disqualification order in place under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act, to protect him from harming all animals. |
| The sheriff also put an anti-social behaviour order in place prohibiting him for inflicting pain, acting in a cruel manner or possessing, owning or keeping any animal, bird, fish or insect - or even acting in a manner that is grossly disrespectful to any dead creature. | The sheriff also put an anti-social behaviour order in place prohibiting him for inflicting pain, acting in a cruel manner or possessing, owning or keeping any animal, bird, fish or insect - or even acting in a manner that is grossly disrespectful to any dead creature. |
| 'Unimaginable pain' | |
| Mike Flynn, from the Scottish SPCA, said it was a disturbing case of repeated and prolonged animal cruelty. | |
| "The accused inflicted an unimaginable amount of pain and suffering on the cats he tortured so today's sentence is appropriately severe," he said. | |
| "In particular we welcome that he was given a life ban on keeping animals, which is the ultimate sanction against cruelty towards animals. | |
| "We are pleased to note the court recognised this behaviour could lead to violence against humans. | |
| "Our First Strike campaign highlights how animal cruelty can escalate into domestic abuse and violence towards people so it is very encouraging to see this being addressed." |