Jail term for decapitating puppy
A GLEN Innes man was sentenced to 16 months’ imprisonment yesterday for decapitating a puppy with a shovel four months ago.
Andrew John Wren, 32, appeared in Armidale Local Court for sentence.
Magistrate Stafford imposed the jail term, with a non-parole period of seven months.
Wren faced eight charges, to which he pleaded guilty in November.
The most serious charge related to the aggravated cruelty of the dog while others included enter dwelling with intent to commit indictable offence and resisting an officer in the execution of duty.
On September 13 at 10.30pm, Wren had forced his way into the home of his developmentally disabled neighbour before snatching the puppy, taking it outside and chopping off its head with a shovel.
Two senior police officers soon arrived to find the body of the dog on Wren’s unit’s front doorstep.
The officers moved into the backyard where Wren was armed with the shovel he used to kill the dog, and a pair of block splitters.
Wren challenged the officers but later complied with their requests and dropped the weapons.
He was arrested just before 11pm, after a short struggle with the police, and appeared at Armidale Local Court early the next day where he was refused bail.
Wren remained in custody throughout subsequent court appearances.
Due to the time he has already served, Wren could be eligible for parole release by April 12.