The offender pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a cat after attempting to suffocate and drown the family pet while intoxicated.
The Crown sought 3 to 6 months of incarceration, while the defence sought a conditional discharge.
The court found a conditional discharge contrary to the public interest due to the gravity of the offence and the presence of family members during the incident.
However, considering the offender's lack of prior record, guilty plea, remorse, and steps taken toward rehabilitation for alcohol addiction, the court imposed a suspended sentence with 18 months of probation and a 10-year prohibition on owning animals.
