#MostEvil | Jamie Lee Weir, born 26/09/1995, most recently of Home Farm Road, Birkenhead – tortured a dog by hanging him by his collar, stabbing him and burning him alive
Weir pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to Staffy cross Jack, resulting in the dog’s death. In an interview Weir admitted he had carried out the horrific attack, which included Jack being hung from his collar on a coat hook, as “he had never liked the dog.”
The court heard that the RSPCA received a report of a half-buried dog in a garden in Corbyn Street, Wallasey, on November 18, 2015, which led to Inspector Anthony Joynes going round to the property to investigate.
Inspector Joynes said: “The dog, who belonged to Jamie’s then-girlfriend’s mum [Lisa Hurst, who was convicted separately of failing to prevent her dog from being tortured and killed] went for a post-mortem examination and it showed that there were horrific injuries to his body indicating he had been subject to sustained attacks and torture.
“Weir admitted to beating him with a stick and hanging him from his collar on a coat hook on the wall, where he was then stabbed numerous times.
“It is likely that the dog was dying, but was still alive.
“He was then taken out into the garden and set on fire before being hastily buried.”
Jack’s blood was found on walls in the house, on a radiator and by a door.
Inspector Joynes said: “It is sickening to think what Jack went through – it is completely stomach-churning.
“He was tormented and tortured to death in the worst imaginable way.
“There was no way Jack could have escaped from this horrific act of cruelty – he stood no chance. Jack would have been terrified and in so much pain.
“It is absolutely horrific what he went through and it still sickens me today.”
Sentence: 24-week prison sentence to run consecutively to a four-year prison sentence he is currently serving; £536 costs and victim surcharge of £115. Disqualified from keeping animals for life.
Sentencing of Lisa Hurst
Lisa Hurst, born 26/8/1969,, most recently of Laird Street, Birkenhead CH41 8EW admitted in court that she failed to prevent her dog, Jack, from being tortured and killed.
Hurst accepted that she was responsible for the dog at the time of his death, and admitted she had “failed to take steps as were reasonable in the circumstances to prevent any harm or suffering”.
The court was told she had lived in “absolutely appalling conditions” and had previously looked after the dog “quite well”.
Sentence: four months in prison, suspended for 12 months, 12-month probation order; £300 in costs; banned from keeping all animals for life.