CONVICTED (2017) Ian H Williams, born 1959, of 15 Geneva Drive, Stoke-on-Trent ST1 6UW – beat and stamped on a pet dove, which later died
Williams, who went on to be convicted of drink driving, was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to the dove by subjecting it to violence.
The court heard that Williams attacked the bird in the garden of his parents’ house in Rosewood Avenue, Stoke. The dove was the pet of a neighbour.
RSPCA inspector Charlotte Melvin, who investigated, said: “Williams had made it known that he did not like the doves and, very sadly, a dove suffered unnecessarily because of this. It was very obvious that the poor bird had been attacked in the most horrific way.
“A post-mortem examination of the dove showed injuries consistent with being beaten with a stick and then stamped on. It is very sad that such a beautiful bird suffered a horrible, painful death. Put simply, this was a completely mindless attack and there is absolutely no excuse for it.
“It is important to remember that the welfare of all animals is protected by the law – birds the same as dogs, cats and horses – and none deserve to be treated with cruelty.”
Sentencing:
12-month community order; £985 in costs. Banned from keeping animals for three years (expired 2020) .