CONVICTED (2022) | David John Raybone, born 2 September 1983, of Tame Court, Lichfield Street, Tamworth B79 7QD – strangled a puppy to death.

Raybone admitted causing unnecessary suffering to the eight-month-old dog, known as Reggie, after putting a belt around his neck and dragging him, causing fatal asphyxiation.

The court heard from witnesses who saw the puppy dragged along the floor with his neck pulled and extended. Reggie was left motionless and sadly later confirmed dead despite the efforts of vets.

In a written statement to the court, a veterinary surgeon said Reggie was noted to have been “behaving playfully prior to having the belt tied around his neck”.

They added: “No other pathological findings could explain the death of this animal and therefore the most likely cause of death was asphyxiation.

Following the hearing, RSPCA inspector Pamela Bird said: “It is just heartbreaking to think about how Reggie must have suffered. I’d like to thank the police for their swift and effective action when they responded to the incident and their assistance throughout my investigation, as well as the vets who did everything they could to save Reggie and the members of the public and witnesses for helping to bring this extremely upsetting case to court.”

Sentencing | 20-week custodial sentence; ordered to pay a total of £656 in costs and surcharge. Disqualified from keeping animals for life and a seizure order was made for a cat he owns.

Birmingham Live