VERONICA REID, JON ALLEN AND PAUL BROWN FROM TROWBRIDGE SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC DOG CRUELTY IN EXETER

In a disturbing case of animal cruelty, Veronica Reid, Jon Allen, and Paul Brown, all residents of the Trowbridge area, were found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a beloved family dog, a collie named Shandy, in Exeter. The incident, which took place in 2014, shocked the local community and drew attention to the brutal treatment of animals.

The sequence of events unfolded when Allen and Brown visited a veterinary clinic in Trowbridge on January 17, 2014. Their purpose was to inquire about euthanizing Shandy, who had reportedly become aggressive. The vet, however, informed them that the procedure would cost more than £100. Frustrated by the cost and perhaps driven by a lack of compassion, the two men decided to take matters into their own hands. They returned to their home and, in a horrifying act, tied a noose around Shandy’s neck and hung him from the attic of their residence.

The dog’s suffering was prolonged, taking up to ten minutes before he succumbed. To ensure that Shandy was dead, Paul Brown then punched and kicked the dog, inflicting further violence. After the cruel act, the trio buried Shandy in their garden, attempting to conceal their crime.

The brutal incident was eventually uncovered through a conversation between Veronica Reid and a neighbor. During a casual chat while Reid was waiting for a bus, the neighbor inquired about the fate of the dog, noting that Shandy used to bark constantly. Reid responded by revealing that the dog was gone and made a hanging gesture, describing the sound Shandy made as similar to a lobster boiling, which indicated a disturbing level of insensitivity.

The court proceedings revealed that Reid and Allen pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to the dog by hanging him until he died. Paul Brown also admitted guilt during the trial. The sentencing reflected the severity of their actions: Brown received an 18-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months; Reid was given an 18-week suspended jail term along with a six-month curfew; Allen received a 23-week suspended sentence and was ordered to complete 300 hours of unpaid work. Additionally, all three individuals were banned from keeping animals for ten years, a ban that is set to expire in September 2024.

This case highlights the ongoing issues of animal cruelty and the importance of animal welfare laws. The community and animal rights organizations continue to advocate for stricter penalties to prevent such heinous acts from occurring in the future.