Colchester dad William Kiltie killed family dog after it 'made a mess'

William Kiltie, 60, admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal by inflicting blunt force trauma on Jessie, a Yorkshire terrier cross, in February last year. 

Chelmsford Magistrates' Court heard police were called to Newcastle Avenue, Colchester, to reports a family's pet dog had been killed.

The court heard Kiltie's then partner and their 11-year-old daughter were present when officers arrived.

Lauren Bond, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, said: "They were very upset and the daughter said the dog had been killed by her father, but she didn't see what happened.

"She said she was in the living room, her father and the dog were in the kitchen and she said the dog 'sort of slid across the floor.'"

Police searched the area and found Kiltie in Maldon Road.

The court heard when he was arrested, police struggled to make out what he was saying.

Miss Bond said: "Mr Kiltie said the dog made a mess in the kitchen and he might have got 'aggy ', but it was unclear what he was saying because he's got a very strong Scottish accent.

"He was arrested, and I understand he was en-route to the police station to hand himself in at this point."

A police inspector visited the family home and found the dog lying dead in an upstairs bedroom.

Much missed: Adorable Yorkshire terrier cross Jessie

An X-ray showed the dog had suffered a fractured skull and a haemorrhage.

A post-mortem examination established it had died from a brain injury caused by blunt force trauma.

In a basis of plea, Kiltie said he had thrown a broom into the dining room, but hadn't intended to hit the dog.

Miss Bond said: "There were no witnesses specifically to what happened and the basis of plea is not disputed."

Caroline Woodley, mitigating, said her client felt great remorse at the death of the dog and the subsequent breakdown in the family relationship.

He has since moved to his current address, in Northcraig Road, Kilmarnock.

She said: "At the time he was living with his partner, his daughter, who is 11, and his partner's two sons.

"They have four dogs, two cats and some fish.

"The RSPCA have done checks on the animals and there is no cause for concern in relation to any of the other animals.

"Mr Kiltie says he has never been violent to his partner or anyone in the household.

"This was just because he thought the dog had made a mess in the kitchen and he threw the broom into the dining room.

"He said he then immediately saw the dog was seriously hurt, picked it up, took it upstairs and was very, very upset, as was the whole household.

"He immediately left the house and was walking to the police station to hand himself in."

Magistrates banned Kiltie from owning dogs for three years and ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work.

He must complete a 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement and pay £390 in court costs.