Protests as man who stabbed dog to death in Perth park avoids jail
A man who stabbed a pet dog to death in a Perth park will not go to jail, with the judge accepting he was trying to protect his own pet.
Animal lovers hurled abuse and struck the dog killer as he walked free from court on Thursday.
The judge accepted he was afraid for his puppy, but Luna's owner is incensed by the lenient sentence.
Four-year-old Luna the labrador was stabbed to death at Appleblossom Park, Mirabooka, last month.
Today Jayde Paul Rowan walked free from court, given a suspended jail term.
He was met by an angry crowd of protesters holding up placards and was forced to run to avoid them.
In front of court, Luna's owner, who has only been identified as Bridget said she now lives in fear.
"I don't even want to go to the local shops, because I feel scared of what could possibly happen to me because this man thinks it's okay to carry a knife and the judge has made him think it's okay to carry a knife," Bridget said.
The court heard Rowan was walking his seven month old puppy on a leash when Bridget's two labradors circled him.
Scared for his puppy, Rowan stabbed Luna with a pocketknife, which he then threw away and ran off.
The senseless killing outraged the public and later today away from the protestors Rowan has apologised.
"I'm heartbroken," Rowan said.
"My heart goes out to you and everyone involved. And especially your other dog too because he won't have anyone around."
Rowan says he carried the knife as protection after his own pet dog was killed by two dogs 10 years ago.
Bridget responded: "Obviously that has affected him in some way from his dog being killed".
"How does he think that's not going to affect me? And how does he think it's the right thing to stab an animal?"
Magistrate Heath said it would have been different if there had been torture towards the animal or a deliberate intent.
But he found there was no intent to kill Luna.
Bridget says she may appeal the ruling.
