Dog bound, gagged and hung - Glasgow, SC

Monday, Feb 2, 2004

A dog owner allegedly bound and gagged his pet before hanging the animal with its lead. Ronald Bennett reportedly killed the alsatian after becoming depressed on the anniversary of his father's death. The 41 year-old pleaded guilty on Sept 14, 2004 to torturing the dog by causing unnecessary cruelty and pain.

At Glasgow Sheriff Court, Sheriff Lindsay Wood told him: "This is one of the most despicable things I have ever heard in a court and it beggars belief you would commit such an act."

The incident happened after Bennett had arrived at his former flat in Earl Street, Scotstoun, on February 2 this year.

Soon after, he had become annoyed at the dog and smothered it by wrapping tape around its face and head. He then clipped on its lead and hung it from a door.

The court was told Bennett, of Jedworth Avenue, Drumchapel, then tried to torch a table with candles. Emergency services arrived after the fire was reported and discovered the dog.

Brian Lannigan, defending, said: "There is no real accounting for such a bizarre offence.
"It did happen on the anniversary of his father's death - a day which the accused had often found hard to cope with."

In a separate incident, Bennett also admitted aiming a gun at a woman who had almost knocked him down.  Caroline Hutton had been driving in the city's Knightswood last August when Bennett and a friend walked into the path of her car.

As Miss Hutton rolled down her window to complain, Bennett, who was later caught with an air pistol, brought out a weapon and pointed it at her head. The petrified woman sat ducked in her vehicle until he eventually fled.

Bennett was remanded in custody until next month for reports.

References

• The Evening Times - Sept 14, 2004 (page 9)

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