STEPHEN WELCH OF DAVENTRY CONVICTED FOR POISONING NEIGHBOUR'S PET CAT WITH ANTIFREEZE

In a case that has shocked the local community of Daventry, Stephen Welch, born on January 11, 1958, and residing at Wimpole House, Snowshill Close, was found guilty of a cruel act involving the poisoning of a neighbor’s pet cat. The incident took place in his front garden, where Welch deliberately left a bowl of cat food contaminated with antifreeze, a toxic substance known for its deadly effects on animals.

According to court records, Welch admitted to placing the antifreeze-laced food outside his home on September 27, 2016. The motivation behind this act was reportedly to deter a neighbor’s cat, which had previously injured a bird in his garden. The neighbor’s four-year-old cat, Charlie, was the unfortunate victim of Welch’s actions. Charlie consumed the contaminated food and soon began to show signs of severe illness.

Tragically, Charlie’s condition worsened rapidly. His owners rushed him to a veterinarian, but despite their efforts, his health deteriorated. The following day, Charlie was euthanized to prevent further suffering. Tests confirmed that the cat had ingested antifreeze, which is known to cause kidney failure and death in animals.

RSPCA inspector Susan Haywood provided a detailed account of the incident, stating, “Welch admitted to putting the antifreeze down as he wanted to scare the cat away from his front garden, where he regularly fed wild birds. He said that he didn’t intend for Charlie to die, however very sadly antifreeze is extremely toxic and can cause kidney failure and death.”

Inspector Haywood further explained the pain and suffering endured by Charlie, noting, “When Charlie returned home, he was struggling to walk and was crying. His owners took him to a vet, where he sadly deteriorated and was put to sleep later that day. Tests confirmed antifreeze ingestion. Charlie would have been in considerable pain in his last few hours as a result of this.”

The case was brought before the court, which sentenced Welch to pay a total of £1,120 in costs and charges. Notably, there was no ban imposed on Welch’s ability to own animals in the future. The incident underscores the importance of raising awareness about the dangers of antifreeze and the suffering it can cause to innocent animals, as emphasized by the RSPCA.

This case has garnered significant attention in Daventry and serves as a stark reminder of the cruelty that can occur within communities. The authorities continue to advocate for responsible pet ownership and the protection of animals from malicious acts.