#MostEvil | Robert Humpries, born c. 1971, of Roman Road, Taunton TA1 2BH – slit the throat of his puppy and left her to bleed to death.
Humphries, a former abattoir butcher, slit the six-month-old female lurcher’s throat and then stabbed her repeatedly between the ribs.
A vet estimated it would have taken up to 30 minutes for the dog, called Shadow, to die.
When the RSPCA arrived at his home in Roman Road they found Shadow with her legs tied together in a plastic bag dumped in a wheelie bin.
Humphries appeared before the court in a wheelchair having fractured both his ankles.
Neil Scott, prosecuting for the RSPCA, told magistrates that Humphries had gone to a vet on the morning of June 28, 2011, wanting Shadow rehomed or put down, claiming she had attacked his 19-month-old daughter.
Vets told him that it would cost £70 to have to the dog put down and another £30 for cremation.
Humphries said he did not have the money and, when he was then told it could be done free of charge, said he would come back with his pet.
However, Humphries told RSPCA officers that when he tried to walk the dog to the vets Shadow slipped her collar and attacked him and, fearing further attacks, he decided to kill the animal.
Mr Scott said there was no evidence of any injuries to show that Shadow had attacked either Humphries or his daughter.
“Mr Humphries asked his wife to pass him a kitchen knife, grabbed Shadow by the collar and started to cut Shadow’s neck,” Mr Scott said.
“The dog was crying and yelping and trying to get away. He asked her to pass him another knife, which she did.
“He then stabbed the dog in the chest with the silver-headed knife and following that stabbing the dog died.”
A post-mortem examination found the lurcher had a “large gaping wound” to the throat and stab wounds to the chest.
A vet said the dog would have been in “extreme pain”.
Humphries was interviewed later that day by the RSPCA and he told them: “I couldn’t actually slit the throat properly with the knife.
“She just cried and started to bleed out and then she crawled away and lay down on the floor.
“That’s when I finished her off – I stuck a knife between her ribs.”
Humphries admitted a single charge of causing unnecessary suffering to the dog in the attack.
Ed Boyce, defending, said that since killing Shadow Humphries had separated from his wife and was involved in a custody battle for access to his daughter.
“He co-operated in the investigation of this matter and in my submission has expressed remorse for what occurred.”
Sentencing | Jailed for five months (later reduced to 17 weeks on appeal). Banned from keeping animals for life but can appeal after 5 years.
BBC News
Daily Mail
Somerset County Gazette
Update May 2022
We have received a tip-off that Humphries is now known as Samuel Bradley and is currently living in Wedmore, Sedgemoor, Somerset. FB profiles here and here.
As if a Puppy of that size is capable of Attacking anyone.
Absolutely Heart Breaking.
He could have easily Rehomed that Pup, and none of this would have been necessary. His Wife should have also been Prosecuted, for being part of this and Allowing It. As it does say She Passed Him The Knife. Shame On Them.