The Calgary man accused in a case of animal cruelty that shocked Calgarians is undergoing a 30-day psychiatric assessment and court documents obtained by CTV News paint a history of mental health issues.

Nicolino Ivano Camardi is charged with two counts of wilfully causing unnecessary pain, suffering or injury to an animal in connection to the deaths of a dog and cat earlier this year.

On January 9, a Siberian husky was found dead in an alley in the 200 block of 99 Avenue S.E  with its muzzle taped shut and about a week later a cat was found nearby in a similar condition.

Both animals were examined by a vet and it was determined that the dog died of starvation and the cat from asphyxia and strangulation.

CPS and Humane Society investigators collected evidence during the execution of a search warrant at a home on Bonaventure Drive at the end of January and as a result charges were laid against Camardi.

Investigators say the animals were sourced from kijiji and were obtained about three months before they were found dead.

Camardi was ordered to undergo a 30-day psychiatric remand to determine whether he is fit to stand trial.

CTV News obtained a transcript from an emergency protection order that was filed by Camardi’s former girlfriend.

According to the transcript, Cst. Aaron Squirrell testified in March about several incidents that allegedly took place while the pair was living together and said the woman was trying to end the relationship.

The transcript shows that the officer told the court that while Camardi was in police custody he “made comments to the officer that he’s hearing voices and that the voices are telling him to kill her. And that he needs to kill her soon, and if he doesn’t kill her, she’ll kill him first."

Squirrell says she also told police that Camardi is responsible for “other atrocious acts against animals” and said he spoke to her about “murder and killing humans.”

The officer also testified that the defendant has a history of psychosis and crack cocaine use and that Camardi explained to him that he “has control issues over the complainant, that he cannot stop himself from wanting to control her, and that he wishes – does not want her to ever leave him.”

Nicolino Camardi is scheduled to be back in court on June 6.

(With files from Elissa Carpenter)