June 24, 2008 Man cuts throat during hearing in Mass.

TAUNTON, Mass. (AP) - A horrible scene plays out in Taunton where a man cut his own throat during a City Hall hearing.

The Taunton Gazette reports that 54-year-old Robert Feltmate slit his throat during a hearing Monday about filing a complaint against an animal control officer.

Feltmate was apparently upset that his dog, which had broken its leg, was carried by officers from his house by hand because the house was too cluttered to use a stretcher.

Mayor Charles Crowley said Feltmate pulled out a razor blade and cut a four inch gash. He then refused help and wouldn't comply with police commands.

Eventually, police used pepper spray and a Taser to subdue Feltmate.

Feltmate was in stable condition at Morton Hospital late Monday night. The hospital said he was not listed as a patient there on Tuesday.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)