A man whose Pit Bull terrier killed a neighbour?s cat received a conditional discharge in Magistrates? Court yesterday.

Devonshire resident Noel Taylor pleaded guilty to the charge of keeping a Pit Bull that caused injury to a cat, whose owner lives next to him on Chaingate Hill.

Taylor, 28, asked for leniency given the fact that he had reimbursed the cat?s owner, Christine Marsden, for veterinarian bills totalling $733 and had also moved the dog to a different location that had since been inspected by Government dog wardens.

Crown counsel Cindy Clarke said Ms Marsden had gone outside on July 20 last year to find her cat hanging from the dog?s mouth.

After the dog released it, she took the animal to the veterinarian but it died shortly afterwards from its injuries.

Acting Senior Magistrate Carlisle Greaves said that he himself is a dog owner. But ?my dog would never kill a cat.?

He said: ?I keep my own dog. My mother and father gave it to me. I raised it properly though.?

Lawyer Larry Mussenden pointed out that there was a precedent for this case. ?In Britain the Princess Royal?s dog was caught eating the Queen?s dog. It was sent to get psychological help.?

On the issue of sentencing, Mr. Greaves said: ?I don?t know what to do. Animal lovers are going to crucify me if I let you go without a fine.?

Given the fact that Taylor had reimbursed the cat?s owner, Mr. Greaves handed down a conditional discharge to last for 12 months.