Pet ban for throwing dog at wall

Edinburgh Sheriff Court heard how a dog was thrown at a wall

A teenager, who threw a dog against a picture on a wall with such force the glass in the frame smashed, has been banned from keeping pets for 10 years.

Michael Newlands, 17, from Edinburgh, pleaded guilty at the city's sheriff court to assaulting a 15-year boy and his mother on 27 February.

He also admitted causing the dog unnecessary suffering.

Fiscal depute, Mina Poppius, told Sheriff Neil Mackinnon, Newlands had a history of violence after drinking.

The sheriff heard that at about 2130 BST on the day of the offence, he flew into a rage and punched the boy and woman repeatedly.

The fiscal said Newlands then picked up the family's four-year old Shih Tzu dog and threw it against a wall, striking a picture and smashing the glass in the frame.

Defence agent Duncan Hughes said there had been some problems in Newlands's childhood and when he drank they came to the forefront of his mind and he became angry.

Sentencing Newlands, Sheriff Mackinnon told him his conduct had been lamentable and the attack on the dog was particularly deplorable.

He placed him on probation for 18 months and ordered him to perform 125 hours of community service.