A man from Frome has been jailed for 20weeks and banned from keeping animals for life after leaving a dog with such severe non-accidental injuries they led to her death.
Carl Steven Athey (date of birth: 25/09/1991) of Dorset Close, Frome, Somerset, appeared before Bath Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (16 October) where he was sentenced for an animal welfare offence, following a prosecution by the RSPCA. Athey, who was found guilty after a trial, was found to have physically harmed a border collie named Gracie on two occasions, after being left home alone with the 4-year-old dog.
The animal welfare charity began an investigation after being contacted by vets who were concerned about the nature of the injuries, and how they had been caused. Sadly, Gracie’s injuries were so severe on the second occasion she was presented to a vet in an unresponsive and comatose state by her owner that she had to be euthanased by vets.
Following her death, a post mortem examination revealed Gracie to have sustained a number of recent and historic blunt force trauma injuries, including three broken ribs, damage to the liver consistent with a kick, blunt force trauma to the head, and damage to the neck consistent with strangulation.
RSPCA inspector Miranda Albinson, who investigated for the charity said, “This saddening case involved a defenceless dog who lost her life because of the series of serious injuries that had been caused by Athey. The veterinary reports and the post mortem exposed the deliberate ill-treatment which tragically led to her death.
“Athey denied he was been responsible, claiming he had tripped while holding a shopping bag after Gracie was taken to the vets with injuries on the first occasion, and offering no explanation as to how she came to have suffered such severe injuries on the second occasion, although he accepted he was the only person in the flat with Gracie on both occasions.
“There is never an excuse for harming an animal or for failing to treat an animal with the kindness and respect they deserve.”
Alongside the lifetime disqualification, which cannot be appealed for 10 years, Athey must pay £750 costs and a £115 victim surcharge. The court also deprived him of ownership of two dogs he owns.
