Raid on SSCPA in rage over pet

A man forced his way into an animal rehoming centre using a car and a rope after finding out his dog had been put down.

Nicky Syratt, 31, of Ellon, tied his vehicle to the Scottish SPCA kennels and accelerated away.

He had signed two dogs over to the centre in Drumoak, Aberdeenshire, in June but became upset when he was told one had an incurable illness.

Police found him with one dog and holding a pair of scissors.

Syratt admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner when he appeared at Aberdeen Sheriff Court yesterday.

Depute fiscal Katie Begg said he shouted and swore at a staff member when she called to break the news, telling her: “I'm coming down and nothing will

“The defence denied a claim he threatened to ‘do in staff’”

stop me". The defence denied a claim he threatened to “do in staff".

The building was locked up as a result but Syratt forced his way in before being confronted by police. “One of the police officers asked the accused if the dog was dangerous, to which he replied ‘No but I am',” Miss Begg said.

Defence lawyer Chris Maitland said his client suffered a head injury in a road accident 10 years ago and suffered from a personality disorder.

He said the disorder could explain his client's “extreme" reaction on the day of the offence.

Sheriff Malcolm Garden told Syratt, of 10 Barratt Drive, that his behaviour was “completely unacceptable” and he should find a coping approach to use when he got upset.

He was ordered to carry out a community payback order with 80 hours of unpaid work.