CONVICTED (2019) | Benjamin Samuel Avill, born 26 November 1982, of Waltham Road, Bournemouth BH7 6PE – poisoned 50 tropical fish in an act of revenge against his former partner.
Avill went into a ‘fit of rage’ when Jenny Daniels told him their 12-year relationship was over.
He grabbed a nearby bottle of Comfort fabric conditioner and emptied it into the large tank that contained 50 fish.
The court heard how Avill “laughed” as the fish were poisoned.
All but one of them died. The sole survivor, a bristlenose pleco fish called Bob, now lives with Miss Daniels.
Miss Daniels, from Bournemouth, reported her ex to the RSPCA.
Carpenter Avill, who has a previous conviction for drink driving, admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.
Matthew Knight, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, said: “In the eyes of the general public, if he had done this to 49 dogs the outcry would be significant.
“However, the act does not differentiate between protected animals.”
Mr Knight said the fish would have suffered greatly as they were poisoned
“The fish were jointly owned by the defendant and Ms Daniels,” he said.
“They were arguing and in a fit of rage he poured a three-litre bottle into the tank.
“An expert has since said they would have died an acute and unnecessary death.
“Fish can and do suffer and the defendant has shown very little remorse for his actions which caused the death of a lot of fish.”
Leah Dillon, mitigating, said: “The relationship between Miss Daniels and the defendant was volatile.
“This incident was the culmination of several years of tough times.
“He describes himself as like a bottle of champagne which his partner was shaking and waiting for the cork to pop.
“He says it was completely out of character for him and he has shown genuine remorse.”
Sentencing | 14-week prison term suspended for 12 months; costs of £400; 200 hours of unpaid work and 20 days of rehabilitation activity requirement. Banned from keeping animals for 10 years (expires September 2029).