CONVICTED (2017) | Sam Simmonite, born c. 1976, of 8F Egerton Court, Barrow-in-Furness LA14 2TU – allowed his dog to launch a fatal attack on a cat.
Wildlife persecutor Simmonite was convicted of causing unnecessary suffering after failing to control his dog, a black lurcher named Stan, and allowing him to maul a ginger cat known as O’Malley.
The incident took place at around midnight on December 6, 2016, in Steamer Street, Barrow.
RSPCA inspector Chris Towler said: “This case was not only a sickening act that caused suffering to O’Malley, but also caused significant distress to O’Malley’s owner, Sammi Thompson, who found out about what happened to her much-loved pet via social media.
“O’Malley not only suffered during the attack but for some time after – we know that he managed to get from the top of a recycling bin where he was left injured to a nearby building site where he was discovered dead the following day.
“I hope that the sentence handed out to Simmonite serves as a reminder that society will not tolerate such blatant acts of cruelty, and will serve as a deterrent to those who choose to use their dogs in this manner.
Michael Graham, defending, pleaded with the bench not to impose the ban.
He said: “There is no suggestion that he ill-treated or under-fed his dog, or that it was a risk to the public. This was an isolated incident.
“He has anxiety and depression and he had an anxiety attack on the way to court on Tuesday when he had to turn around and go home.
“He has owned a dog all through his adult years and it has a great therapeutic quality for him and he does not want to be without that.”
Simmonite interrupted the magistrates’ sentencing to launch into a verbal tirade of abuse.
The foul-mouthed, expletive-ridden rant included Simmonite calling the bench chairman, Chris Harris, “four-eyes”, before shouting: “You’ll never stop me owning dogs.”
Sentencing: 20 weeks’ imprisonment for the animal cruelty offence, as well as an additional two-week custodial sentence for failing to surrender to bail at the appointed time. Total of £1,023.40 costs and charges. Banned from owning any animal for a minimum of five years.