A Fife man pulled a child’s pet rabbit from its hutch and threatened to “slaughter” it as the toddler watched on from an upstairs window.
Shane Wren carried out the wicked act on the animal after being refused entry to a woman’s home because he turned up there drunk.
Procurator fiscal depute Jill Currie told Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court Wren, 32, “took issue” with not being allowed entry and went into the back garden and opened the rabbit hutch.
The depute fiscal said: “Both parties (the woman and a child) heard the accused threaten to slaughter the bunny on two occasions.
“He then reached into the hutch and grabbed the rabbit by its neck and held it up so that both parties could see this.
“I viewed footage and it’s clear the rabbit is distressed and trying to get away.”
Rabbit returned two days later
Ms Currie said Wren then took the rabbit away, to cries from the child asking what would happen to their pet.
The depute fiscal continued: “The rabbit was returned to the property two days later.
“The complainer states she returned to the property and found the rabbit unharmed and returned to the hutch.”
Wren appeared from custody to plead guilty to a charge of causing the rabbit, a protected animal, unnecessary suffering contrary to the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006.
He also admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner and causing fear or alarm by repeatedly uttering threats of violence towards the animal in the presence of the woman and child at a property in the Leven area.
‘Unaware of watching child’
The shocking incident took place at around 6pm on March 26.
Defence lawyer David McLaughlin said Wren is “disgusted” by how he behaved that day and that video footage of the incident was shown to his client’s mother.
Mr McLaughlin said: “He is ashamed of his behaviour.”
The solicitor said Wren was unaware the child was watching at the time.
He added: “Once he sobered up he returned the rabbit.”
Sheriff John Morris adjourned sentencing until May 24 for background reports and released Wren, of Miller Street, Kirkcaldy, on bail meantime.
The sheriff told him he must cooperate with his bail order and suggested he stopped drinking.
The court heard Wren had been in custody since April 1.
