A man repeatedly kicked a puppy until it was left cut and bleeding – then told police to have it killed as he no longer wanted it.
Kristopher Anderson was walking his dog in Aberdeen city centre when he was spotted picking up the three-month-old Staffordshire bull terrier and throwing it towards parked cars.
He then punched the animal once before repeatedly kicking it, leaving the pup scared and injured.
Worried passersby called the police and followed Anderson through several streets until he arrived at his mother’s house.
When officers reached the scene they found the dog had a large cut above its right eye, which had to be stapled shut.
Anderson then told officers that if they were going to seize the animal, they should “just have it put down” as he no longer wanted it.
Yesterday, the 30-year-old appeared from custody at Aberdeen Sheriff Court after a warrant was issued for his arrest when he failed to appear for trial.
He admitted causing the dog unnecessary suffering by throwing it to the ground, leaving it injured. He also accepted that he punched and repeatedly kicked the animal.
Anderson, of 55 Gillespie Crescent, Aberdeen, was also accused of failing to get treatment for the injuries the puppy sustained on January 26, but his not guilty plea was accepted by the Crown.
The court heard Anderson had been spotted attacking the animal, which was not on a lead, in North Silver Street, South Silver Street and Golden Square.
Fiscal depute Stephanie Ross said that when Anderson left his mother’s house at around 5pm that day the puppy was in good health and uninjured.
However, when he returned to her house in Crown Terrace the dog was clearly hurt.
Ms Ross said: “The police attended at the property and found the accused along with the dog.
“They noticed the cut above the dog’s eye. The accused was thereafter cautioned and detained and conveyed to Kittybrewster Police Station.
“During the course of the journey he made the spontaneous remark that if his dog was seized they should just put it down.”
The pup was taken to Mrs Murray’s cat and dog home and Anderson no longer has any responsibility for the animal.
Sheriff Alison Stirling deferred sentence for background reports and to give her time to consider banning Anderson from owning or keeping pets in future.
He was remanded in custody and will return to court later this month for sentence.