Police monitor sheriff court protest

Jun 3 2009 Paisley Daily Express

COPS moved in at Paisley Sheriff Court yesterday to prevent members of an animal protection group from getting near a man who had admitted torturing and killing cats.

Protestors carrying banners gathered outside the court and distributed leaflets to passers-by as part of their campaign for tougher sentences to be handed out to people who are guilty of animal cruelty.

As members of the Scotland for Animals campaign group staged their protest outside, Anthony John Docherty was appearing in the dock for sentencing after previously pleading guilty to killing three cats.

Sheriff Neil Douglas deferred sentence for three weeks for psychiatric reports and 23-year-old Docherty was escorted to a waiting vehicle by police amid jeers from protesters.

John Patrick, spokesman for Scotland for Animals, told the Paisley Daily Express: “It’s outrageous that a person like that is let out of a courtroom with the protection of the police.

“People are getting slaps on the wrist for what we see as terrible crimes. These people are a danger to the community and should be taken off the streets.

“We want to see tougher sentences like they have in America because of the evidence linking animal cruelty to the progression of abuse of the elderly and child killings.”

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.

All of the cats were decapitated, two were scalped and one had its tail pulled off.

After pleading guilty last month, Docherty was granted bail with special conditions which prevent him from having any contact with animals.

l To view our interview with Mr Patrick in full, visit the website at www.paisleydailyexpress.co.uk.