Dog Died After Mouth Taped Up.

[Borderpower]

A MAN could be jailed for killing a dog in what a veteran RSPCA inspector described as one of the worst acts of animal cruelty he had seen.

Paul Hinton, 34, from Pensbury Street, Darlington, pleaded guilty at the town's magistrates' court yesterday to one count of neglect and four counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a brown cross-breed dog. A charge of torture was withdrawn.

The offences took place between March 1 and April 1 at a property in Hargreave Terrace that Hinton was intending to move into.

Kevin Campbell, prosecuting for the RSPCA, said the animal, which had been restrained and had its mouth tied, suffered severe injuries all over its body, caused by kicking or being hit with a blunt object. It died of heart failure.

A vet said the dog would have been unable to escape Hinton's beatings because it was tied up.

As its body temperature increased, it was unable to cool itself by panting, leading to a huge strain on its heart.

Mr Campbell told magistrates: "The young police officer who called the RSPCA has since suffered horrific flashbacks."

Jonathan Harley, inmitigation, said the dog had been a stray and had bitten Hinton's youngest child twice. He said he had taken it in to keep it from roaming the streets.

Mr Harley said: "When he went to stroke it, the dog went for him.

Heknew the dog was aggressive.

"At this, he lost his temper and smacked the dog.

"He tied it up and gave it enough rope to move around, but not enough to escape."

Mr Harley said Hinton tied the dog's mouth because it had tried to bite him several times.

Magistrates adjourned the case until October 7 for a pre-sentence report.

Speaking afterwards, RSPCA inspector Garry Palmer said: "I am just glad I was first at the scene.

"Younger officers may not have been able to handle the scenes.

"It is one of the worst cases I have seen in my ten-year career."

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/new..._of_p et_dog/

That is so terrible. :D :cheer: ;)

[spottychick]

I don't believe him. He is saying he did it because the dog bit him - that just sounds like his defence council desperately coming up with anything he can to get him off. It's an obvious attempt to wriggle out of it - why beat the dog and leave the dogs mouth taped? He is an animal - no, that's insulting to animals. Sorry.

He better get a jail sentence.

[HugUrPup]

I hate humans sometimes :D

[PaddyForever]

This is just terrible. I really wish they'd increase the possible sentences for crimes like these. Poor dog, no wonder he had an unstable temperament, with such an unstable owner. I know they said that the dog was a stray this man had taken in, but it sounds like the dog would have been better off taking it's chances on the streets. If the dog had an unreliable temperament, and had shown aggression previously, he should have taken it to a shelter, were it could have been assessed, and at least euthanased humanely, if neccesary. Poor dog... :D

[Sydoo]

Torturing this poor dog would have taken more effort than just calling the council to collect a contained stray. Hope a switched on magistrate sees through his excuses.

[Shaar]

I remember one a while back where the owner had wrapped wire around the dog muzzle because it wouldn't stop barking.

The wire had dug into the dogs skin and it was emaciated and dehydrated.

How can people do this? It's sickening.

[Roguedog]

if the dog was that aggressive I dont see him being able to tape its muzzle very easily!

[Borderpower]

if the dog was that aggressive I dont see him being able to tape its muzzle very easily!

very true

[flatchat]

There are times when I am ashamed to be human. If this isn't torture, what is?? Poor dog!!