DANIEL MCPHILLIPS FROM DENNY SCOTLAND SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC DOG CRUELTY

Daniel McPhillips, born on 1 November 1993 and residing on Beech Crescent, Denny FK6 6LL, was convicted of a shocking act of animal cruelty in 2019. He strangled a King Charles spaniel named Alfie, then bound the dog's head, neck, throat, and legs with his lead before dumping the animal into the Forth & Clyde Canal to drown.

McPhillips, a known heroin addict and dog killer from Denny near Falkirk in Scotland, was sentenced to the maximum of six months in jail and was banned from keeping animals for five years. The incident stemmed from McPhillips being paid £20 to deliver Alfie to a veterinarian for rehoming. Instead of doing so, he callously murdered Alfie by strangulation and disposed of his body in the canal, wrapping the lead around his legs.

Initially, McPhillips lied to the dog's owner, Tammy-Lynn Burgoyne, claiming via text message that he had taken Alfie to the vet for rehoming. Ms. Burgoyne later learned the truth after Alfie’s body was recovered from the canal and reported the incident to the Scottish SPCA.

McPhillips appeared at Falkirk Sheriff Court from custody after being arrested for failing to appear earlier. He denied the charges, claiming in September 2018 that Alfie had escaped while walking in the woods, and he had lied to Ms. Burgoyne about taking the dog to the vet.

A Scottish SPCA investigator testified that McPhillips had ignored her calls and appeared reluctant to meet. Despite his attempts to deny involvement, he was found guilty after a court hearing, with sentencing scheduled for 18 December.

During the process, an associate of McPhillips testified that he had admitted killing Alfie, saying, “I didn’t ken what else to do with it.”

In his own testimony, McPhillips claimed that Alfie had run off into the woods while they were out walking and that he could not catch him. He also admitted to lying via text message about the dog's fate.

After evaluating the evidence, Sheriff Christopher Shead convicted McPhillips and indicated that a prison sentence was likely.

At the sentencing hearing, McPhillips's solicitor, Mark Fallon, stated that his client now “regrets the harm he caused,” and explained that McPhillips was addicted to crack cocaine and had taken heroin and Valium when the offence occurred.

Sheriff Shead described the incident as a “grave contravention” of animal cruelty laws and sentenced McPhillips to six months in jail. He also banned him from owning or keeping animals for five years, with the ban set to expire in December 2024.

McPhillips showed no emotion as he was taken to the cells following his sentencing.

A Scottish SPCA undercover SIU officer commented on the case, calling it “a truly shocking case of animal cruelty,” and criticized McPhillips for choosing to kill Alfie instead of taking him to the vet. The officer revealed that multiple people contacted their helpline after Alfie was found, and witnesses had told authorities that McPhillips had admitted his guilt.

The officer further explained that McPhillips had ignored repeated attempts to contact him and had failed to attend two trial dates, leading to warrants for his arrest. The injuries Alfie sustained—including trauma to his neck and leg injuries—indicated he had suffered unimaginable pain and suffering due to McPhillips's actions.

Despite being convicted of this grievous act, McPhillips’s girlfriend, Evie Marie Mackenzie, appears to continue supporting him despite his crimes.