BBC News | WALES | Cruelty case postman falls ill

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Tuesday, 14 March, 2000, 19:11 GMT

Cruelty case postman falls ill

A postman accused of kicking a dog that later died has been taken to hospital from court.

Billy Ace was found by doctors to have an irregular heartbeat and will be detained in hospital for two days undergoing treatment.

Mr Ace, 46, complained of feeling faint as he gave evidence during the hearing at Swansea Magistrates Court and he was taken to Singleton Hospital.

His lawyer Graham Jones told magistrates that he would be in hospital for at least 48 hours and an update on his condition would be provided on Friday. Child with Ria

Earlier, the court had heard that a pet dog who died after being kicked by Mr Ace had bitten another Royal Mail delivery man the previous day.

Magistrates were told the Yorkshire Terrier nipped reserve postman Simon Cronin on the back of his leg the day before it was kicked by Mr Ace.

The 46-year-old, from West Cross, denies causing unnecessary suffering under the protection of animals act.

The court heard how the dog called Ria died after Mr Ace kicked it into the air.

They were told that the dog was "yapping and barking" at his feet while he delivered mail to a home at The Mumbles, near Swansea.

Mr Ace, from Swansea, denies causing unnecessary suffering to the six-inch-high animal in June last year.

He told police that he "lashed out" to protect himself.

"The dog gave me a nip and then blocked my path before squaring up again," he told the court.

"I was a bit flustered, could see an opening and tried to kick the dog away and used considerable force.

'Great shame'

"When I saw the dog land I was concerned because there was no sign of life.

"It is a great shame what happened but I lashed out to protect myself."

Ria's owner 64-year-old Neil East said the dog ran out of his house and began barking at Mr Ace's feet.

"I approached Mr Ace to get the dog," he told the court.

I picked her up, held her in my arms and said to him 'What have you done?'
Neil East, Ria's owner

"I said again 'please can I get the dog?' He turned on his right foot and he kicked the dog very hard with his left foot.

Ria was kicked about three feet high and hurtled across the patio, said Mr East.

"I picked her up, held her in my arms and said to him 'What have you done?' I then realised that she was dead."

He tried to revive Ria by blowing gently into her mouth and depressing her rib cage.

The dog was put down soon after, having suffered fatal brain injuries.

Jon Tarrant, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, said Mr Ace admitted kicking the dog but denies using excessive force to restrain the animal.

Related to this story:
$50,000 reward for dog killer (09 Mar 00 | Americas)
Animal cruelty case adjourned (12 Oct 99 | Wales)

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