Sadistic dog owner seen killing pet by pushing into icy river in 'wicked' crime

26 September 2023 , 09:49

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Peveller was caught on CCTV pushing his dog into the river (Image: Northumbria Police)

A cruel former dog owner has been jailed after murdering his pet by pushing her into a freezing cold ice river.

Stephen Peveller threw his 12-year-old Pomeranian against railings by the River Wear, Sunderland in the inhuman attack. The poor dog struggled to get up after injuring its head on the railings - and instead of being helped by her master, he pushed her through the railings and into the icy river below.

The evil 48-year-old was jailed for 27 months at Newcastle Crown Court for causing unnecessary suffering to an animal - which he initially said he needed for emotional support. The horrific attack took place on December 17, 2022 at 7:40am, and was witnessed by a Sunderland Council worker at Panns Bank, Sunderland.

“The defendant can be seen being abusive to a small dog,” prosecutor Penny Hall said according to ChronicleLive. "He dragged it by the neck before throwing it towards some railings alongside a path by the River Wear. There are railings then a drop into the river beyond it. The dog hit the railings and fell on its back. It moves, frantically trying to get back up. The defendant tried to put it on its legs, which it eventually managed to do itself.

Peveller was walking his dog at 7:40am on 17 December, 2022 (Northumbria Police)

"The defendant then dragged the dog again before lifting it onto the other side of the railings on the edge of the path above the river. He then pushed the dog off and it went out of site, clearly going into the river,” she added. "He then looked over the railings, looking in the river before he left the area."

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The council worker immediately called the police, who found Peveller - only for him to claim the dog had fallen into the river and tell them he was worried. The police found the innocent Pomeranian dead in the river.

Recorder Mark Giuliani said: "He killed the dog through his actions. He threw it against the railings and it's injured and then threw the injured dog into the river. It was sadistic behaviour. He dragged the dog, the dog looked up to him for help and he puts it over the barrier and pushed it into the cold river."

Peveller threw the poor dog against the railing before pushing her in the river (Northumbria Police)

Sentencing the sadistic man, of Longley Street, Newcastle, to 27 months in prison, the judge said: "You were walking along with your pet dog, a dog which in May last year you were seeking to keep in a hotel where you were living because it was your emotional support dog and you wanted to keep it despite hotel rules that pets were not allowed.

"It's clear from the footage that even though you had injured the dog she still looked at you as her master for support. You did nothing to assist her, instead when she managed to get back on her feet and was clearly struggling and was clearly looking for you for support, you picked her up put her on the other side of the railings then threw her to her death into the river or the bank of the river. You killed your own dog callously and wickedly."

Peveller pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to an animal. As well as the prison sentence he was banned from owning or keeping animals for life. The court heard he has mild learning difficulties but exaggerates the extent of them.

Peveller has been sentenced to 27 months in prison (Northumbria Police)

Jennifer Coxon, defending, said: "There is no getting around that this was a hideous incident and there's not much mitigation I can put forward for his behaviour given he has no memory of what he has done. It's an awful incident in relation to a dog which was his own for some time.

"He can't recall owning a dog himself. He is a vulnerable man and has limited intellectual functioning. He is in supported accommodation with support from social services although that's going to be reduced because how he presents currently, he is more able to look after his needs."

Rob Kennedy