Man sentenced for killing dog in Colchester
The Yorkshire terrier and Chihuahua cross, called Jessie, died from a brain injury
A man has been banned from keeping dogs for three years following the death of an animal last year.
The RSPCA was called to a property in Newcastle Avenue on 5 February 2020 after the dog was found dead.
An investigation found Jessie had suffered fractures to her skull and haemorrhage and haematoma to the surrounding tissue.
Chelmsford Magistrates' Court heard how the owner had been asleep at the time William Kiltie had hit the animal with a broom after it made a mess in the kitchen and been through the bins.
The 61-year-old of Northcraig Road in Kilmarnock, Scotland, said he never meant to harm Jessie and regretted his actions.
RSPCA Inspector Caroline Richardson, who investigated the incident, said: "The family were visibly upset when I arrived at the property. I was shown upstairs by one of the police officers and saw Jessie lying on her side on the bed in the bedroom. The dog was lifeless and lying in a pool of urine.
"I checked and she had no heartbeat and there was no corneal reflex in her eyes. There were no signs of life at all from poor Jessie. She appeared in normal body condition and didn’t have any obvious signs of illness to explain her death."
As well as being banned from keeping dogs for three years, Kiltie was sentenced to 100 hours of unpaid work, a 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement and ordered to pay £390 in court costs.
Inspector Richardson added: "This was a distressing case involving the death of a much-loved family dog. This could have caused considerable suffering to poor Jessie and great distress to the family."