Man Who Kicked Dog to Death to Escape Punishment

Posted: 19 May 2009 03:30 AM PDT

A man who kicked his girlfriend’s dog so hard it killed her has escaped prosecution as it was decided the dog ‘did not suffer’.

Norman Llewellyn was arguing with his girlfriend and decided to take out his frustration on her 3 year old Yorkshire Terrier, Phoebe. Llewellyn had bought his girlfriend the puppy 3 years earlier as a present.

He kicked the dog so hard, she was killed instantly. Julie Blyth, called police but Llewellyn ended up being let off with a caution. It was decided no prosecution would be brought as Llewellyn had shown ‘remorse’ and did not have any previous convictions.

The RSPCA were informed of the incident but after investigating the case, decided not to take any further action.

The animal charity formed the decision on the basis that the dog was killed instantly and didn’t suffer. A vet carried out a post-mortem on the dog and the RSPCA decided not to bring any ill-treatment or cruelty cases.

The decision has caused outrage after the charity explained: ”Evidence of suffering is necessary for cruelty to be proven in the courts. And as an expert ruled that suffering did not occur, animal welfare offences could not be considered.”

The couple are no longer together and Miss Blyth’s sister said that she was ‘heartbroken’.

She spoke of the incident: ”We think it’s disgusting. It seems no one wants to know – and we are upset he has got away with it. What sort of message does it send out to people.”

Author and animal lover, Jilly Cooper has commented on the incident and has called for the charity to rethink their decision: ”It is irrelevant whether it was one kick or two. Killing an animal is killing an animal.”

The RSPCA said: ‘The Society shares the public’s concern and frustration. But of course we can only act within the law. This case is exceptional.”

Source: DogMagazine.net - the K9 Magazine blog

Man Who Kicked Dog to Death to Escape Punishment

This is interesting... I read a different report on this with pretty much the same outcome but worded differently.

I think it all has to be taken with a pinch of salt. This part, in my opinion, is unfair:

The RSPCA were informed of the incident but after investigating the case, decided not to take any further action.

The animal charity formed the decision on the basis that the dog was killed instantly and didn’t suffer. A vet carried out a post-mortem on the dog and the RSPCA decided not to bring any ill-treatment or cruelty cases.

The whole thing is disgusting, and he should've been brought to book over it but I maintain that we have to stop blaming the RSPCA.

As they have said in the report they can only work within the law.

The law is wrong - not the RSPCA. Their hands are tied. If the law was different, they would've prosecuted.

This is interesting... I read a different report on this with pretty much the same outcome but worded differently.

I think it all has to be taken with a pinch of salt. This part, in my opinion, is unfair:


The whole thing is disgusting, and he should've been brought to book over it but I maintain that we have to stop blaming the RSPCA.

As they have said in the report they can only work within the law.

The law is wrong - not the RSPCA. Their hands are tied. If the law was different, they would've prosecuted.

I so agree with your final statement. And, even when the RSPCA does prosecute and somebody is found guilty of cruelty, so often the sentence they get is derisory and not any sort of deterrent to other people who mistreat their pets or animals. Like this dreadful case (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8038249.stm)of horse neglect/cruelty - the barsteward who's been found guilty had already been "punished" for causing unnecessary suffering:

"The farm was owned by Jamie Gray - an equine trader with a history of animal neglect.

He had been fined £3,500 in 2006 for causing unnecessary suffering to animals - but was allowed to continue his trading business."

As far as the latest horrors are concerned, "The RSPCA ... is pressing for him to be given a lifetime ban from keeping horses." Why on earth should they need to "press" for such a sentence? Who, in their right mind, would even consider allowing him to continue to have horses??? :loopy:

So...let's say I just shoot him between the eyes. Clean shot, instant death. No real harm done. As long as I say sorry.

Right???

The law is not an ass...it would be doing asses a disservice to suggest so.

the rotten barsteward,its time the law was changed then.animals have feelings like humans,whos to say the dog didnt suffer.if anyone had done it to a human they be locked up.i love my dogs,they deserve the best as they totally depend on us to care and look after them.

this post was not about having a go at the rspca ,but was about the in justice do to the dog and the fact that he got away with it , sorry but i will always side with the dogs lol

He still killed the dog whether he ment to or not i think he should in someway pay for it, whether or not the dog suffered he still killed him it should not make any difference, and it must have been some boot to kill the dog. If i was frustrated i would not kick my dog or anyone else's(my views)

bloody hell thats sick, and hes got away with , great many more people will be kicking there dogs now they think they can get away with it

someone ought to kick him like he kicked that dog.the poor little thing.

i thought we were a national of animal lovers? im sure they could have given the man some kind of punishment? they let the man off because in there opinion he had remorse? that means they had some power there to prosecute?

What a plick he is! I've three dogs and if anyone even tried to harm them I'd be the first person to stop them be any means necessary :suspect:

As stated by Squiggs the law is an ass and the people making the judgements are asses in my opinion :P :P

You can be fined for dropping litter and spitting,

Go to jail for speeding and not paying for things, But kill a dog and pretend that your sorry and it's fine :loopy: . . . . . . . . .Sorry am I missing something here . . . . . . . did he not just end a life because he's spat the dummy out of the pram!!

Rant over :rant: :P

someone ought to kick him like he kicked that dog.the poor little thing.

Someone very large so he enjoys the same fighting chance that the dog was given. :)