ROBERT FITZGERALD FROM SPARKHILL BRUTALLY KILLS YORKSHIRE TERRIER IN BIRMINGHAM

In a tragic incident that has shocked the local community, Robert Fitzgerald, a resident of Sparkhill, Birmingham, was convicted of causing the death of a small Yorkshire terrier named Titch. The heartbreaking events unfolded when Fitzgerald, who had been entrusted with caring for the dog by friends Paul and Donna James during their holiday in Spain, lost his temper and committed a violent act that resulted in the animal's death.

According to court reports, Fitzgerald became overwhelmed by stress following an angry phone call with his employers on April 21, 2018. The pressure appeared to have triggered a violent outburst, during which he threw Titch against a wall and strangled her. The incident took place at the James family home in Birmingham, where Fitzgerald was staying temporarily.

Neighbor Jade Leech, who had been asked by the James family to keep an eye on Titch, discovered the dog’s lifeless body wrapped in bedding the day after the attack. The discovery prompted immediate action, with West Midlands Police and the RSPCA being called to investigate the circumstances surrounding the dog's death.

Post-mortem examinations revealed that Titch died from blunt force trauma to the head, which caused a brain hemorrhage and a fracture to the skull behind her left eye. The veterinary report also noted a dislocation of the tail bones, located approximately 2.5 centimeters from the tip of her tail. These injuries indicated a severe and violent assault.

During police interviews, Fitzgerald, who reportedly has learning difficulties, admitted to killing the dog. Prosecutor Rafe Turner, representing the RSPCA, stated, “He has admitted causing the dog’s death. Perhaps the clue to the size of the dog is in the name – Titch. The dog was owned by Mr. and Mrs. James, who had gone on holiday to Spain. Mr. Fitzgerald had been given a spare room in the premises.”

Ms. Leech, who found the dog wrapped in bedding, confirmed that she had not seen Titch since the night before. The veterinary post-mortem concluded that the injuries would have resulted in death within four hours of the incident.

In court, defense lawyer Kate Scully argued that Fitzgerald’s actions were a result of the significant stress he was under at the time. She explained that he had recently moved from Staines-upon-Thames, was off work, and under pressure to return. She also highlighted his learning difficulties, which she claimed limited his ability to cope with stressful situations. The court acknowledged these factors but still found Fitzgerald responsible for the animal’s death.

Fitzgerald was sentenced to 16 weeks in prison, a reduction from the original 20 weeks due to his guilty plea. Additionally, he was ordered to pay a fine of £115 and was disqualified from owning animals for life, reflecting the seriousness of his actions and the community’s concern over animal cruelty.