Man who killed friend's chihuahua with hatchet in Ruchazie jailed

Michael Frati was sentenced at Glasgow Sheriff Court

A man who killed a dog by striking it with a hatchet has been jailed.

Michael Frati, 29, attacked the chihuahua named Ruby at a property in Ruchazie, in the north east of Glasgow, on 5 August.

He was convicted at Glasgow Sheriff Court last month of causing the dog unnecessary suffering as well as acting in a threating or abusive manner.

Sheriff Patrick Hughes said it was a particularly sad matter due to Frati's relationship with the dog's owner.

Court papers said that Ruby was owned by his close friend Janet Collins.

• Man killed chihuahua by striking it with a hatchet

Sheriff Hughes said: "She played an almost maternal role in your life.

"This was the worst incident of animal cruelty I have seen, particularly in a summary court.

'Significant risk'

The charge said Frati knew or ought to have known that his actions would have caused suffering.

It is stated that he struck Ruby on the head with a hatchet which caused her death.

Frati, of the city's Craigend, also behaved in a threatening or abusive manner at the same time and place.

The charge said Frati shouted at the property as well as swore and made threats of violence towards police.

Sheriff Hughes, who gave him a 12-month sentence, added the dog had suffered from an "unprovoked incident".

He said: "Miss Collins suffered from seeing it and seeing it done by you which is hurtful.

"It seems to me that you pose a significant risk to the public and this incident is an escalation."

Peter Malone, defending, earlier told the sentencing hearing that Ms Collins had tried to help Frati with his addiction issues and he had been living with her.