SINGAPORE - A man got so angry during a spat with his girlfriend that he vented his anger on his pet dog, stabbing it to death.

On Thursday (Feb 8), Chong Choom Kiat, 40, who was diagnosed with adjustment disorder with depressed mood, was ordered to undergo 12 months' mandatory treatment order. The part-time chef will also be banned from owning any animal for one year.

The court heard that Chong was having an argument with his 23-year-old girlfriend at his home in Hougang Avenue 6 on Oct 30, 2016, when she remarked that his female Maltese dog named Sweet Sweet was making a lot of noise.

Chong took his shirt and covered the dog's head, gripping the shirt tightly in a bid to suffocate the dog.

When he realised the dog's tail was still wagging, he used a leash to further tighten the shirt that was wrapped around its head.

Chong went on to stab the dog multiple times near the thorax region with a fishing knife, while holding the struggling dog down.

When the dog began to bleed profusely, Chong stopped and realised it had died. He threw away the dog along with the shirt and dog leash into the common rubbish chute at the void deck of his block.

His girlfriend lodged a police report at Hougang Neighbourhood Police Centre the same day.

Chong, who is represented by pro bono lawyer Diana Ngiam under the Enhanced Guidance for Plea Scheme, had admitted to ill-treating the Maltese between 4 and 5pm that day.

He could have been fined up to $15,000 and/or jailed for up to 18 months under the Animal and Birds Act.