Tower block dog death pair jailed

A couple who hit a dog several times before throwing it from a fifth-floor balcony have been jailed for 12 weeks.

Sheena and Alexander Spence had been looking after Laddie for its elderly sick owner.

The dog died from internal bleeding caused by the injuries it suffered last October, magistrates were told.

The couple, now of Charlemont Farm, West Bromwich, had beaten the dog before throwing it from the balcony and admitted causing unnecessary suffering.

At West Bromwich Magistrates' Court they were also ordered to pay costs of £250 each and were banned from keeping or owning animals for the rest of their lives.

Your actions were deliberate, callous, and in no way justified District Judge Michael Morris

Their trial was told Mrs Spence, 62, and her 60-year-old husband had been looking after the dog while Nancy Howells, 86, was in hospital.

They told the RSPCA they had lashed out after Laddie bit Sheena on the ankle.

The couple admitted hitting the dog between two and three times each before Mrs Spence threw it from the balcony of their flat.

It had suffered bruising to the left side of its body, internal bleeding and injuries to internal organs, including a torn liver and kidney damage.

A veterinary surgeon said its injuries were consistent with being beaten rather than a fall and that it was probably "dead or dying" when thrown from the balcony.

'Stricken with guilt'

Ms Howells, who had been "devoted" to her pet, died in hospital four weeks after Laddie.

Sentencing them, District Judge Michael Morris said it was "a terrible case" and that the couple had "failed this dog and neither of you cared enough to call for veterinary assistance".

He added: "Your actions were deliberate, callous, and in no way justified.

"This is such a dreadful case that I have no choice but to impose a custodial sentence."

Shiva Misra, defending, said Mrs Spence had been "stricken with guilt" by her actions.

She sobbed and pleaded with custody officers as she was led from the court, shouting: "This is not justice."

Outside court, RSPCA Inspector Herchran Boal said: "Obviously it is never nice to see someone go to prison, but you do have to pay for your actions.

"The judge said it was callous and it was. They could have called somebody for help and they didn't. They could have called a vet.

"I hope this sends out a very clear message to people."