MAN STABBED DOG TO DEATH HAS WALKED FREE
A MAN who stabbed a pet dog to death has walked free from court.Cruel Peter McCulloch, 41, attacked the animal with a knife within his home in Greenock's Wren Road between 9 and 10 December.
Greenock Sheriff Court heard how McCulloch knifed the animal and left it suffering in the house until it died.
McCulloch pleaded guilty to causing the dog unnecessary suffering and repeatedly stabbing it on the head and body until it was severely injured.
The charge states that he then failed to seek veterinary care for the dog, which then died from its injuries.
The court had deferred sentence on the 41-year-old until this week for psychiatric reports to establish if he was suffering from any mental illness when carrying out the offence.
The reports found the accused to be of sound mental health.
A defence agent for McCulloch told the court on Wednesday that her client was in a position to pay a financial penalty.
Sheriff Vincent Canavan decided to continue the case for the accused to work with a local alcohol counselling service - but indicated that McCulloch was unlikely to face prison.
Sheriff Canavan told the accused: "Sentence will be deferred for three months for your continued attendance at Inverclyde Alcohol Services." "At the end of that period I may continue with this course or I may deem you suitable for community service." McCulloch will appear again in May.
