MAN CONVICTED AFTER DOG SUFFERING HORRIFIC DEATH SHOT WITH AIR RIFLE
THE MISGUIDED mercy killing of a dog riddled with cancer led to horrific suffering to the animal.An Alsatian-cross called Popsy suffered horrific pain and took 20 minutes to die from internal bleeding when its owner shot it 12 times with an air rifle, a court was told.
A vet told the court the culling of the 10-year-old dog last Christmas Eve with an 'inadequately' powered air rifle was cruel because the female dog needed to be shot many times before it would die.
Unemployed Alan Terry, 50, of Cottrells, Swanmore Road, Curdridge, Fareham, was yesterday convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal at Fareham Magistrates' Court.
He denied the dog suffered, claiming it was unconscious after three shots and felt nothing.
Terry said Popsy was close to death with a grapefruit-size cancerous tumour on its head and he was therefore putting it down as an act of kindness to put it out of its misery.
The court was told Popsy was shot nine more times in the head and chest when discovered to be breathing after she was placed in a freshly dug grave on Summerlands farm, Lockhams Road, Curdridge, Fareham.
Vet George Tribe said the gun used to kill the dog was "puny" and therefore inadequate to put down a dog humanely.
A heavier calibre gun would have killed the dog with one shot.
He added: "The dog experienced unnecessary suffering in this cull.
It must have been horrific for the dog to hear the gun being broken each time and to see what was happening and wait for the shot each time.
"Its suffering was only relieved by the heart stopping due to heavy bleeding.
"The dog was terminally ill, but this was no emergency.
There was no need for such horror." The court heard Terry's motive was well intentioned, but could have called a vet.
He was banned from keeping animals for 12 months and fined £150 with £200.
Mr Terry said he would appeal against the verdict.
After the case RSPCA Inspector Christine Coleman, said: "This was a cruel and callous killing with a totally unsuitable weapon." She called for rifles to be subject to stricter licensing.
