ANTHONY PARKER OF HARTLEPOOL CONVICTED FOR HORRIFIC HAMSTER ABUSE IN THE UK

Anthony Parker, a resident of Hartlepool, was found guilty of a cruel and inhumane act involving the death of his pet hamster. The incident took place at his home located at 24 Holyrood Walk, Hartlepool TS25 3EY. On the early hours of February 23, 2010, police officers responded to reports of a disturbance at Parker’s residence. Upon arrival, they discovered that Parker had admitted to placing his pet hamster, named Suzie, into a microwave oven. This act of sadistic animal abuse was reportedly committed following a drunken argument with his girlfriend.

During police questioning, Parker expressed remorse, telling officers, “I didn’t mean to kill her. She was the best hamster I ever had. She was called Suzie.” The tragic fate of the tiny hamster was revealed when her body was found discarded in a wheelie bin outside Parker’s house. The remains showed signs of severe burns around her mouth, indicating a violent and painful death.

A post-mortem examination confirmed that Suzie had died from exposure to radiation, a result of her being subjected to microwave radiation. The case drew significant attention due to the brutality involved in the animal’s death.

As a consequence of his actions, Anthony Parker was sentenced to nine weeks in custody. Additionally, he was subjected to a ban on keeping animals for a period of five years, a restriction that expired in 2015. Despite the severity of the crime, Parker’s landlord, Housing Hartlepool, initially threatened to evict him as a disciplinary measure. However, instead of eviction, they chose to “demote” his tenancy, which meant he remained in his residence under stricter conditions.

The case was covered by local news outlets including Teesside Live and the Northern Echo, highlighting the ongoing concern about animal cruelty and the importance of accountability for such heinous acts.