Paignton man jailed for killing chihuahua and leaving remains in bag for ex
Scott O'Shea, 51, smashed four-year-old Kilo's skull against walls in Paignton, then delivered the dog's remains to his ex in a carrier bag. He received a 14-week sentence and a lifetime ban on keeping animals.
Paignton man jailed after chihuahua killed and remains left on ex-partner's doorstep
A 51-year-old man from Paignton has been sentenced to 14 weeks in prison and banned for life from keeping animals after killing his former partner's chihuahua by smashing its skull against the walls of his lounge, devonlive.com reports.
Scott O'Shea, of Longstone Road, Paignton, pleaded guilty to an animal welfare offence following an investigation and prosecution by the RSPCA. The sentence runs consecutively to a three-year prison term O'Shea is already serving at HMP Exeter for arson with recklessness and assaulting police officers at Torbay Hospital on 1 March.
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Newton Abbot Magistrates' Court heard that on 9 January, O'Shea — who was estranged from his former partner but had been permitted to remain in the family home to avoid homelessness — made threats to her over the phone. When she returned, he told her to leave immediately and prevented her from taking Kilo, a four-year-old tri-coloured chihuahua, with her. She took refuge at a neighbour's address.
Later that night, O'Shea knocked on the door of the address where she was staying and left a bag on the doorstep, saying "the dog's in the bag" before walking away. Inside the carrier bag were Kilo's remains, with visible trauma to the head and body.
Police attended and found O'Shea in the lounge, where fresh blood was present on the floor and walls. Kilo's body was taken to a vet, where X-rays were carried out. A post mortem arranged by the RSPCA and analysis by a veterinary surgeon found the cause of death to be extensive and catastrophic shattering of the skull. Evidence indicated that the dog's brain was swollen and that there was blood in his ears, nose and throat — signs that death did not occur immediately at the time of the blow, meaning Kilo survived for a period after sustaining his injuries.
O'Shea was charged under section 9, subsection 1 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006, on the grounds that he failed to take reasonable steps to protect Kilo from pain, suffering and injury by killing the dog in an inappropriate and inhumane manner.
RSPCA Inspector Sarah Morris, who led the investigation, said: "This was a totally unnecessary killing of a much-loved healthy dog. The killing was carried out in a vicious, frenzied and sadistic manner. Animals feel pain and suffering just like we do and always deserve to be shown kindness and compassion."
In mitigation, O'Shea stated he is now remorseful and is receiving medication for psychosis.
The magistrates handed down the 14-week custodial sentence and imposed a lifetime ban on keeping animals. O'Shea is prohibited from appealing the animal ban for a minimum of 15 years. His current sentence for the arson and assault offences was imposed on 5 October.
Source: The Sun