ROWAN MURPHY FROM MIDDLESBROUGH ATTACKS DOG WITH AXE IN GAINSBOROUGH

In a disturbing case that has shocked the local community, Rowan Murphy, also known as Rowan Heseltine, a resident of Middlesbrough with connections to Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, was convicted of cruelty towards his pet dog. The incident, which took place at his residence in Gainsborough, involved Murphy striking his dog, Rocky, with an axe after a heated argument, and subsequently neglecting the animal's urgent medical needs.

Murphy, born on September 16, 1996, appeared before magistrates to face charges related to the brutal attack. Despite claiming to be an animal lover, he was found guilty of inflicting a deep, 3-centimeter cut on Rocky’s lower back. The attack left the dog in severe pain, and Murphy’s failure to seek veterinary care meant that Rocky endured suffering for up to two weeks. The veterinarian who treated Rocky expressed concern that the injury might have caused damage to the dog’s backbone. During examination, the vet also discovered older wounds that had healed and noted that Rocky was significantly underweight, weighing 2 kilograms less than a healthy weight.

When magistrates in Lincoln condemned Murphy as being “not very nice to animals,” he responded with a claim of love for animals. The court was also informed that Murphy was warned that even owning a small pet, such as a goldfish, could result in imprisonment. Rachel Taylor, representing the RSPCA, emphasized the severity of Rocky’s suffering, stating, “In the vet’s opinion, Rocky was caused severe distress and pain at the time of the injury. There was further pain and suffering for seven to 14 days due to the failure to seek veterinary treatment.”

The court heard that Murphy had denied causing unnecessary suffering to the dog on two counts, which involved incidents at Frampton Terrace, Gainsborough, between February 18 and March 3 and 4, 2015. However, he was found guilty in his absence during the trial. The circumstances leading to the attack involved a domestic dispute, during which Murphy shouted at his three dogs to leave the living room after an argument with his then-partner. Rocky, in a defensive response, snapped at Murphy’s broom handle, prompting Murphy to swing his axe at the dog.

Following the incident, authorities from the RSPCA and police intervened after receiving a tip-off from Murphy’s girlfriend’s father. However, they were unable to access the Gainsborough address at the time. The man also revealed that Murphy had confessed to hitting Rocky with the axe because the dog had bitten him. It was further disclosed that Rocky had been found injured at a previous address the couple had vacated, leading to the call to the RSPCA. Murphy falsely claimed that he had been robbed and that an attacking gang had used an axe on the dog during the street assault.

Fortunately, Rocky was eventually nursed back to health and was rehomed. During the court proceedings, Murphy’s defense lawyer, Gordon Holt, explained that Murphy was at home with his partner during the incident. Holt admitted that Murphy was in a bad mood following an argument and that Rocky had snapped at him after being shouted at to leave the living room. Holt acknowledged that Murphy’s reaction—hitting Rocky with an axe—was an overreaction driven by distress. He also admitted that Murphy failed to seek medical attention for Rocky’s injuries, describing it as “burying his head in the sand.”

As part of the court’s ruling, Murphy received a 12-week suspended prison sentence and was ordered to pay £850 in costs. Additionally, he was banned from owning any animals for a period of ten years, a ban that will expire in March 2026. The case has sparked outrage among animal welfare advocates and highlights the importance of accountability for animal cruelty in the region.