MATTHEW STARK DOG KILLER FROM DOGSTHORPE PETERBOROUGH SENTENCED TO NEARLY FIVE YEARS

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Dogsthorpe, Peterborough, Matthew Stark, also known by aliases such as Matthew Pinfold and Matt Ilett, was convicted of heinous acts involving the death of his partner’s two beloved dogs. Born in March 1981, Stark’s criminal behavior extended beyond domestic violence to include the brutal killing of the animals, which he carried out during a tumultuous relationship that left his partner living in constant fear.

The incident unfolded when Stark poisoned and strangled two German Spitz dogs named Ronnie and Tiki while his partner was away at work. The woman returned home that evening to an unsettling scene: her dogs were missing from their usual spot at the door, and she found them in their beds, covered in feces. Alarmed and distressed, she immediately took the animals to a veterinary clinic, hoping for a miracle, but tragically, the injuries inflicted by Stark were too severe. The veterinary reports indicated signs of poisoning and bruising around the dogs’ chests and necks, confirming the cruelty inflicted upon them.

Following the incident in September 2022, Stark was swiftly arrested by authorities. His partner, overwhelmed by fear and grief, fled to another address and confided in police that her relationship with Stark had been marked by persistent abuse. She revealed that her fears had escalated to the point where harming her dogs was the final act of violence that compelled her to seek help. Prior to the dogs’ death, Stark had already subjected her to physical assault and relentless verbal abuse, creating an environment of terror. She also disclosed that Stark had isolated her from her family and friends and had installed a tracking application on her phone to monitor her movements, further demonstrating his controlling and coercive behavior.

During court proceedings, Stark admitted to charges of controlling and coercive behavior, as well as causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal. His guilty plea led to a sentencing of four years and eight months in prison, reflecting the severity of his crimes and the impact on his victim and the community of Dogsthorpe. The case has garnered significant attention from local media outlets such as Peterborough Matters and ITV News, highlighting the ongoing issues of domestic abuse and animal cruelty in the area.