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Source: Reuters
An Australian woman who stabbed her former lover's bull terrier 23 times has been sentenced to three years' jail.
Bianca Farrar, 31, of Hampton East, sobbed uncontrollably as Judge Jane Patrick handed down the sentence in the Victorian County Court on Thursday.
The court heard Farrar went to her ex-partner John Geere's East Bentleigh home in January last year armed with two knives to confront him and his new partner.
After a violent confrontation, Geere's mother later found one of the family dogs, named Snoopy, lying on a blanket bleeding from stab wounds.
"This was a violent, cruel and irrational action," Judge Patrick said.
The court heard the dog sustained 23 stab wounds.
Farrar pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary, intentionally causing injury, recklessly causing injury and criminal damage, which is the charge related to stabbing Snoopy.
Snoopy survived after receiving veterinary treatment.
Both Geere and his new partner were treated in hospital for minor lacerations.
In sentencing, Judge Patrick took into account Farrar's psychological condition which, she said, reduced some moral culpability.
The court heard Farrar had a long history of chronic drug use since the age of 11, and had worked as a prostitute and in her mother's massage parlours after moving in with a boyfriend from the age of 12.
Farrar, who has already served 204 days in detention, will become eligible for parole in 18 months.
