Trial set for cat cruelty accused

Docherty denied killing the cat and causing other animals suffering

A man has appeared in court charged with stealing cats, taping their paws, killing one, and decapitating and dismembering it.

Anthony John Docherty, 23, of Clarkston, East Renfrewshire, is alleged to have stolen the animals and kept them in a bedroom in his house.

He appeared at Paisley Sheriff Court charged under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act.

He denied the charges and a trial was set for April.

It is alleged that Docherty stole a quantity of cats in the Ashfield Road area of Clarkston, or elsewhere, between 21 and 25 January.

The charges state that in the same period Docherty contravened the Animal Health and Welfare Act of by taping one animal's paws, causing internal bleeding, dismembering, decapitating and killing it.

He is also alleged to have caused unnecessary suffering to two other cats by binding their paws and keeping them detained in a bedroom.

Docherty was granted bail with special conditions.