Tracy Clark is seen before his sentencing hearing on Friday, July 17, 2009.

Tracy Clark was ordered to spend his nights in jail while participating alcohol treatment programs during the day.

Clark pleaded guilty last month to first-degree animal cruelty for the April 20 attack that left Scatt the cat with multiple stab wounds, including a 7-inch gash on its side.

The injured animal was the pet therapy cat at the Cross Church & Discipleship Center.

Clark, 47, said he had enrolled in rehabilitation at the church, which offers a full-time residential discipleship program for distressed men.

Clark told deputies the cat attacked him first, forcing him to defend himself. He said he grabbed the cat by the throat, threw it against the wall and admitted to stabbing Scat with his own knife, according to court documents.

Another resident of the church told investigators Clark woke him up some time after he had gone to bed on Sunday night, and said he had "gutted the cat," according to a police report.

In court on Friday, Clark admitted he has an alcohol problem and said he was drinking the night he attacked the cat.

"I very, very much regret what happened that night. I am not that kind of person," he said. "I apologize to the court, I apologize to Scatt very much. I mean that from my heart."

Judge Michael Hayden had strong words for Clark and said he needed to stay sober.

"Six assaults against people and now this against a cat and you're up here trying to tell me you're not that kind of person?" he said before ordering Clark into jail and treatment programs.

Scatt was taken to the intensive care unit at South Seattle Veterinary Hospital for treatment and has since been released.

Church members said when Scatt first came to the church, he was very leery of people. But over time, he became more socialized and eventually grew into a lovable therapy cat.