MAN CONVICTED OF BRUTAL KILLING OF PET KITTEN WITH SHOVEL
A man named James Edward Southworth, aged 34, was found guilty of cruelly killing his nine-month-old kitten named Salem.The court heard that Southworth discovered Salem had been run over by a car on January 4 of the previous year.
Instead of seeking veterinary help, he decided to end the animal's suffering himself.
He described to the court that he thought Salem was in pain and that the only way he could help was to kill him.
He used a shovel to strike the cat multiple times, stating he hit Salem on the neck and that he continued hitting until he was certain the cat was dead.
His partner, Jamie Owen, aged 32, was also found guilty of allowing unnecessary suffering to Salem and did not intervene or stop Southworth during the incident.
The couple's actions were reported after neighbors called police early in the morning, and Salem's body was later found in a wheelie bin.
Southworth admitted to hitting Salem with the shovel and using his foot to ensure it was lifeless before disposing of the body, intending to bury the cat later.
Owen expressed that she did not think she could have stopped Southworth and did not want Salem to suffer.
The court was told Salem had also been hit by a car three weeks earlier, and the couple had spent over £300 on veterinary bills.
The magistrates at Bishop Auckland Court found both Southworth and Owen guilty.
The case has been adjourned for reports, and sentencing is scheduled for January 31.
