Shropshire Star

Shrewsbury dog killer banned from keeping animals for life

A cocaine user from Shrewsbury who battered his girlfriend's pug dog to death has been banned from keeping animals for life.

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Christopher Bound was banned from owning animals.

Christopher Bound, 25, punched, kicked and threw the pet against a wall as it screeched in pain, before police arrived and found him with his T-shirt covered in blood.

Neighbours alerted police after hearing and witnessing the beating on February 24 this year.

Bound of Rothley Drive, Bicton Heath, was today given a 12-month suspended jail sentence. He admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.

Kate Price, prosecuting, told Telford Magistrates Court: "At around 10.30pm to 10.45pm the neighbour heard a loud screeching sound and the defendant shout 'get back in your bed'.

"They looked out of the window and saw him kicking something. Every time he kicked there was a screeching sound.

"The neighbour went back into their house and the defendant carried on hurting the dog. They continued to watch and he saw him throw the dog at the patio door.

"Then he picked it up and threw it against a wall. Bound kicked it a few more times before washing his hands. Police were called as the attack was taking place."

Bound was then seen taking his top off and continued to kick and punch the dog. "The screeching was getting quieter and quieter each time," added Mrs Price. "Officers arrived and saw the blood on his T-shirt and found the dog in its bed. They established it had severe injuries."

The dog was taken to a vet for an emergency appointment, but could not be saved and died from internal bleeding.

Feelings

Defence agent Adrian Roberts said: "He had a normal life until his brother died of cancer in 2013. Before that happened he was a reasonably successful sportsman, playing for local rugby and cricket teams in Newport, and he had a good job with Laura Ashley.

"He turned to cocaine to numb his feelings."

Mr Roberts described Bound's girlfriend, who stood by him despite the killing and was in court with his father, as a "stable influence", and added that Bound had suffered with depression and anxiety.

"Clearly he's a man who needs help," he said.

Magistrates sentenced him to 12 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, and ordered him to carry out a 35 rehabilitation days. He was banned from owning animals for life and also ordered to pay the £949 vet bill, £135 court costs and a £115 victim surcharge.

After the case, Simon Paulo from the Crown Prosecution Service said: “As a nation of dog lovers this was a sad case to prosecute.

“Domestic animals are protected in England and Wales. Owners have a responsibility towards the welfare of their pets.

“I would like to commend the neighbours for calling the police when they witnessed this brutality taking place. I urge anyone who may witness any form of animal cruelty to report it as a criminal offence so that justice can be served.”

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