A CRUEL thug who threw a dog out of the window of a second-floor flat has been jailed.

Alexander Arrol, 30, hurled the Jack Russell, named Max, out of his friend’s flat in Ferguslie Walk, Paisley, in February, sending it crashing to the tarmac below.

The dog was so badly injured as a result of the three-storey plunge that one of its legs had to be amputated.

Arrol pleaded guilty to causing the dog unnecessary suffering, in breach of the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006, by throwing it through the window to its severe injury on February 27 this year.

He also admitted a charge of culpably and recklessly breaking the window and throwing a television set and other unspecified items onto the street below.

And he pleaded guilty to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner which was likely to cause a reasonable person to suffer fear or alarm by shouting, swearing, entering a flat and causing a disturbance, in breach of the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010.

Arrol denied flashing his privates at a female police officer and making crude remarks towards her after being arrested and went on trial over those charges.

A jury at Paisley Sheriff Court acquitted him of those alleged offences.

Procurator fiscal depute Scot Dignan told the court that Arrol had been asked to leave a party a short time before the attack on the dog took place.

Mr Dignan said: “The dog was taken to the Abbey Veterinary Group, where it was treated by a veterinary surgeon.

“It was found to have head trauma and wasn’t able to support weight on its right hind leg.

“It was given pain relief and kept for overnight observation.

“Unfortunately, the dog’s right hind leg had to be amputated, such was the injury.”

The court heard Arrol had been a drug addict since a young age, received his first stretch behind bars at 16, shortly after sitting his Standard Grades, and suffered from anxiety and depression.

After hearing that Arrol’s mother had committed suicide and that he acted in such an “absolutely appalling” way on the day in question because he had lost his temper, Sheriff Robert Fife ruled there was only one way he could deal with him.

As he caged Arrol for 10 months for the offences, reduced from a year behind bars as he had admitted his guilt, Sheriff Fife told him: “You have a terrible record of previous convictions.

“Since 2002, you have 55 previous convictions and now number 56, with numerous convictions for dishonesty, assault, police assault, statutory breach of the peace and breaches of court orders.

“The only redeeming feature is that you have pleaded guilty to these charges in advance of a trial.

“This was callous suffering caused to a wholly defenceless dog, Max.

“Any person observing or hearing any part of that narrative would be right to be shocked and angry by your shameful behaviour.

“There is no alternative but a sentence of imprisonment.”