WESTHOUGHTON MAN: KILLED DOG WITH SAMURAI SWORD AFTER RAGE
On Christmas Day 2025, officers from Greater Manchester Police responded to an incident in Quakerfields, Westhoughton.Coote, who had been drinking the night before Christmas, was offered a cup of tea by his 71-year-old father, Alan, on the morning of the holiday.
In a violent outburst, Coote threw the tea at his father and grabbed his arms, causing injury.
He then ran into another room to retrieve a decorative Samurai sword.
Fleeing the scene, Alan jumped over a garden fence to alert authorities.
When he returned with police officers, he discovered his rescue dog, Max, dead behind the garden shed.
Coote had used the sword to slash the Jack Russell three times, inflicting severe and fatal injuries.
Officers found Coote covered in blood.
He spat at and kicked the police officers attempting to arrest him, and later spat at a custody officer.
Coote admitted to charges of causing grievous bodily harm through assault, animal cruelty by inflicting unnecessary suffering, assaulting emergency personnel, and common assault.
Following the court hearing, Sergeant Sarah Kirkman from Bolton’s Evidence Review Team commented: “The actions Coote took against his elderly father and his dog, whom he had rescued from abuse, were utterly deplorable.
“Instead of a peaceful holiday, he turned the day into a nightmare—first by severely injuring his father, then by inflicting catastrophic wounds on Max, who was loyal and innocent, and could not survive such injuries.
“His violence continued as he assaulted two police officers and a volunteer from the appropriate adult scheme, who were there solely to support him during custody.
“The sentence handed down demonstrates how seriously Greater Manchester Police regards domestic violence, animal cruelty, and assaults on officers and staff.”
