A COLD blooded yob who bludgeoned a helpless deer to death has been jailed.
James Faulds, 19, battered the fallow deer at Belleisle’s Pets Corner in March this year.
The 12-year-old female, named Sandra by adoring staff, was found dead by animal carer Carol McColm.
She said: “I can only describe her as a sweet old lady.
“She was one of the tamest of the deer, and was peacefully living out her life at Pets’ Corner.
“Nothing like this ever happened in my nine years at Pets’ Corner. It is just appalling.”
Faulds admitted killing the deer on March 9 this year when he appeared at Ayr Sheriff Court this week.
She suffered a fractured skull and brain trauma when she was ferociously struck about the head with a blunt object.
Faulds was sentenced to 22 months behind bars by disgusted Sheriff Colin Miller.
And the callous killer is forbidden from ever owning or caring for an animal.
The Scottish SPCA have welcomed the sentence.
Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn said: “This was a disgusting and barbaric act of mindless cruelty, fully deserving of a custodial sentence.
“This sort of animal abuse is abhorrent. Our First Strike campaign highlights the link between cruelty towards animals and human violence in later years and this is a particular chilling example of this kind of behaviour.
Superintendent John Hazlett, from Ayr police office, said the sentence serves as a warning to like-minded thugs.
Supt Hazlett said: “This is a substantial custodial sentence which has been passed by the court on the perpetrator of a horrific and sickening attack involving the killing of a defenceless animal.
“This incident took place at the well known local area of Pets Corner in Ayr and had a very negative effect within the local community who were appalled that such a horrendous act could occur on their doorstep.
“This sentence sends out a clear message that any person involved in such acts will be vigorously pursued by the authorities and dealt with in the strongest possible terms.”
http://www.ayrshirepost.net/ayrshire-news/local-news-ayrshire/ayr-news/2009/12/11/barbaric-deer-killer-jailed-102545-25354461/
22 months what would he have got if it had been a child??????? For Gods sake lets have some decent sentences for animal cruelty or it will never stop. I hope this evil person rots in hell.