A 16-year-old boy who last October was placed under a probation order after he pleaded guilty to drowning a dog in Marsaxlokk returned to court today, charged with violating the conditions of his probation.

The boy, who has a psychiatric problem, had been placed on probation for three years. Even his parents had described him as 'a savage' and he had tested positive to cocaine.

He had admitted to drowning Buddy, a Labrador, on July 28, at Tal-Ponta, about 300 metres away from the waterpolo pitch just behind Fort San Lucian.

Taking the witness stand today, the boy’s mother told Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera that her son was not following the probation order. He was refusing to take his medication, he was not visiting his psychiatrist and he was not following the orders given to him by his probation officer.

Visibly irritated Magistrate Scerri Herrera asked the boy what he expect her to do with him.

“You cannot do whatever you like,” the Magistrate told the boy.

Magistrate Scerri Herrera said she was giving the boy one last chance to get his act together before March 15.

“You must take your medication, follow orders given to you by your parents, psychiatrist and probation officer and keep away from these friends of yours who are leading you astray… This is your last chance.”

She also ordered the parents to immediately report their son to the police if he made the slightest mistake so that he would be thrown in prison.

The case was deferred to March 15.