Woman ‘chucked puppy down stairs’

The animal was cut by broken glass when it landed on its side and bled to death a short time later.

Moments earlier, owner Mary Zurinskas had been cuddling the 15-week old bullmastiff.

But as a neighbour watched in horror, she threw the dog from chest height in what was described as a “rugby pass”.

Zurinskas, 39, of Bathgate, West Lothian, denies causing the dog unnecessary suffering and failing to provide it with necessary veterinary attention on March 17, 2010.

Neighbour David Finlayson, 31, told the trial at Livingston Sheriff Court that Zurinskas “threw the puppy down the steps”.

Under cross-examination, he said he did not know that Zurinskas had tried to give the pup mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

The trial continues.