Insanity finding in dog mutilation case
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finding of temporary insanity has been accepted for a 25-year-old Christchurch man who kicked a dog and used a knife to mutilate it so badly that it had to be euthanized.
Judge Stephen O’Driscoll considered the case in the Christchurch District Court after receiving a report ordered under the Criminal Procedures (Mentally Impaired Persons) Act.
He announced his finding of insanity today after reading the psychiatric report’s finding that a defence of temporary insanity would be available to the man at a trial.
The police agreed with the report’s finding, and also supported the application by defence counsel James Rapley for continued name suppression.
The finding relates to a charge of cruelly illtreating a dog which had to be euthanised, reckless driving on Lincoln Road on the same date in January, failing to stop for the police, and failing to remain stopped for a police to obtain details from the driver.
The finding today triggered a remand for a second clinical psychiatrist’s report to be prepared on how the case should be disposed of – effectively the treatment or sentencing options available.
Judge O’Driscoll asked for that report and remanded the man on bail, to stay with his parents, for sentencing on June 12. He granted interim name suppression.
Category: News
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