Man beats ex-girlfriend’s dog

A Corporate Area man who threatened his ex-girlfriend and hit her pet dog in its head, which required a medical check-up, was ordered on Wednesday to attend anger management sessions.

Jahmaal Reid pleaded guilty to malicious destruction of property and cruelty to animal before Senior Parish Judge Paula Blake-Powell in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court.

It was shared in court that some time in August, Reid threatened the complainant, who is his ex-girlfriend, stating that he was going to damage her house. A report was made to the police and Reid was warned. However, on August 6, about 2:50 a.m., Reid went to the complainant's house and called her. When she did not respond, he reportedly started breaking the windows and used a piece of board to hit the dog, causing bloodshot to the dog's eyes. Reid was remanded in custody as a result of his boisterous behaviour at the police station when he was arrested, and for not heeding the warnings of the police when the report of threat was made.

In his own plea mitigation, Reid made restitution in the sum of $25,000 for the damaged windows and the injured dog, who had to be taken to the veterinarian for treatment.

"This offence was so serious, but I do not think you are beyond redemption," opined Judge Blake-Powell before imposing her sentence.

Reid was sentenced to six months' imprisonment at hard labour suspended for a year with supervision from the Probation Aftercare Services. He is to receive anger management and conflict resolution counselling and was made the subject of a fingerprint order.