KRISTIAN MURPHY'S BRUTAL CRIME AGAINST WALLASEY'S DEFENSELESS KITTEN

Kristian Murphy, a resident of Wallasey on the Wirral Peninsula, has been convicted of heinous acts of animal cruelty that culminated in the death of a small, defenseless kitten named Bagheera. Born around 1992 and previously residing on Mill Lane, Murphy, who now goes by the name Andrew Murphy, was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to the black feline during a series of violent incidents spanning from August to September 2016.

Murphy’s disturbing history with Bagheera came to light after the cat was taken to veterinary clinics multiple times with severe injuries. The first visit occurred on August 16, 2016, when Bagheera was found with a broken lower canine tooth and appeared disoriented, with Murphy claiming the injuries resulted from a fall off the sofa. Despite treatment, the injuries persisted and worsened.

On September 24, Bagheera was brought in again, this time with a lame hind leg, a swollen face, and bloodied nostrils. Murphy attributed these injuries to another fall. Just two days later, on September 26, Bagheera was admitted for the final time with new, more severe injuries. Tragically, the cat succumbed to his injuries on the veterinary operating table before any treatment could be administered.

The postmortem examination revealed the extent of Bagheera’s suffering. The black cat had suffered multiple catastrophic injuries, including fractures to both thighs, a fractured pubic bone, dislocated ribs, and a traumatic injury to the right side of his head. A deep wound was also found on the side of his head. The severity of these injuries indicated they were inflicted through repeated acts of violence, not accidental trauma.

Inspector Anthony Joynes of the RSPCA responded swiftly to the case, seizing Bagheera’s body for further investigation. The postmortem confirmed that the injuries were caused by deliberate physical abuse, aligning with veterinary assessments that described the injuries as ‘catastrophic.’

Kristian Murphy was charged with causing unnecessary suffering to Bagheera by failing to provide reasonable care and supervision, and by subjecting the animal to non-accidental injuries that were likely to cause pain and suffering, in violation of Section 4 (1) of the Animal Welfare Act 2006. Murphy pleaded guilty to these charges and was subsequently sentenced to 12 weeks in prison. Additionally, he received a five-year ban from keeping any animals, a restriction that expired in September 2022.

Inspector Joynes expressed his distress over the case, stating, “This kitten was completely vulnerable and put his whole trust in him, and he abused that trust by inflicting horrific violence on him. It’s really upsetting for me as I’ll never know exactly what happened behind closed doors, and it’s so frustrating when you can’t help the animal involved because sadly Bagheera’s injuries were so severe that he died before we even arrived.”

He further explained that Murphy’s repeated visits to the vet with explanations that did not match the injuries’ severity were typical in cases of non-accidental injury. Veterinary specialists confirmed that Bagheera’s injuries were consistent with physical abuse, not accidental trauma. The case’s seriousness was reflected in the judge’s decision to impose both a jail sentence and a ban on Murphy’s ability to keep animals, aiming to prevent further cruelty.

This tragic case underscores the importance of animal welfare laws and the vigilance of authorities in protecting vulnerable creatures from abuse. The community of Wallasey and the wider Wirral area remains reminded of the cruelty that can be inflicted on the most innocent, and the ongoing efforts to bring justice for victims like Bagheera.