DANIEL PICKARD'S HORRIFIC CRIME IN KEIGHLEY: KILLED KITTEN IN BRUTAL ATTACK

Daniel Pickard, a resident of Heather Grove in Keighley, was convicted in 2023 for a heinous act of animal cruelty that shocked the local community and drew widespread condemnation. The court heard that Pickard, born around 1981, inflicted severe injuries on a three-month-old female cat named Pablo, ultimately causing her death through a brutal combination of punching, strangulation, and physical trauma.

According to court records, Pickard physically assaulted Pablo, a kitten that his daughter had brought with her when she moved into his flat with her infant son. The attack was particularly violent, with Pickard punching the defenseless animal and strangling her to the point of causing multiple fractures. After the assault, he left Pablo’s lifeless body in a plastic bag inside his bedroom, an act that horrified those who discovered her.

The following morning, Pickard’s daughter confronted him about the missing cat. He confessed to her in a chilling manner, saying, “The cat’s gone. I’ve killed it. It’s dead,” and added, “I couldn’t stop punching it, it’s been pi**ing me off the past week.” This confession was made in a flat located in Keighley, where the incident took place. The daughter, shocked and distressed, initially thought her father was joking, but the reality of his actions soon became clear.

Further details emerged during the trial, revealing that Pickard had a history of alcohol abuse and previous convictions. On the night before the killing, he had gone out drinking with his two daughters and was ejected from a nightclub after becoming intoxicated. The next morning, he called one of his daughters and admitted to killing Pablo, claiming that the kitten had been annoying him. His daughter believed he was joking at first, as he kept laughing, but the truth was far more disturbing.

Concerned, the daughters contacted the police after discovering Pablo’s body, which showed signs of severe trauma. A veterinarian examined the remains and confirmed that Pablo had suffered multiple fractures to her cheekbone, jaw, head, and spine, along with a throat fracture consistent with strangulation. The injuries indicated a violent and sustained attack, with the veterinarian describing the injuries as indicative of significant force.

When police arrived to arrest Pickard, he drunkenly resisted arrest, physically struggling with officers. Despite his resistance, he was taken into custody. However, he failed to appear at his scheduled court hearings at Bradford and Keighley Magistrates’ Court, where he was ultimately found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal, along with charges of assaulting an emergency worker, resisting police, criminal damage, possession of cannabis, and breaching his bail conditions.

During the sentencing hearing on October 9, 2023, Judge Kirstie Watson reviewed graphic photographs of Pablo’s injuries, which the prosecution had warned were disturbing. The judge acknowledged the severity of the injuries inflicted, noting that Pickard must have used considerable force to cause such damage. The court also considered Pickard’s extensive criminal history, which includes over 50 offenses and two previous jail sentences for wounding in 2011 and 2021.

Pickard’s defense argued that he had shown remorse and was battling significant alcohol problems. The judge took into account that he had not owned any animals since the incident and decided not to impose a ban on him keeping pets in the future. Ultimately, Pickard was sentenced to a 21-month custodial sentence, suspended for two years. He was also ordered to complete 30 days of rehabilitation activities, perform 150 hours of unpaid work, undergo alcohol treatment, pay £75 in compensation to his daughter, and cover £500 in court costs. His actions left a lasting impact on his family and the community of Keighley, serving as a stark reminder of the consequences of animal cruelty and violent behavior.