Mum stabs family dog to death after arguing with partner about pet running away
A mum of three launched a frenzied knife attack on the family dog after it escaped from home and was reported to the police, a court heard yesterday.
Erica Tavares began stabbing Thanos, an American Bulldog, after having a row with her partner about the pet's escape. She told him their relationship was over and he should leave, Gloucester Crown Court was told. Thanos suffered five wounds as Tavares repeatedly jabbed at him with a 12 inch kitchen knife and the most serious of them, to the abdomen, led to his death.
Tavares, formerly of Stroud, but now of Hackney, London, admitted causing unnecessary suffering to Thanos and assaulting her partner on Saturday, February 11 this year. Prosecutor Ed Hollingsworth told the court that the incident happened when the man had just returned home to to the home he shared with Tavares.
On his arrival he was told that Thanos had been running around the street during the early hours of that morning and had been taken in by local vets who contacted the police and later arranged for the dog to be returned to its owners. This caused a heated argument between the couple which evolved into other accusations being made, with Tavares suggesting that her partner leave the home and end their relationship.
Mr Hollingsworth said after coming down the stairs after packing some of his things Tavares' partner saw her attacking the dog with a 12 inch kitchen knife and trying to stab it. He told the court the partner described Tavares "sitting on the kitchen floor yelling out that she was going to kill the dog as she made several jabbing motions with the knife.
Girl, 4, mauled to death in dog attack pictured as neighbours hear mum's screams
"The dog made an escape into the living room, with Tavares following behind with a blue towel with which she tried to suffocate the dog. When this proved unsuccessful she resorted to stabbing the dog, lunging at it with the knife. She stabbed the dog in the abdomen area."
Mr Hollingsworth said that the man yelled at Tavares to stop, at which point she looked up at him "and pointed the knife at him, saying that she was also going to kill him. A struggle ensued. When this struggle went out onto the street the police were called by a neighbour.
"Tavares was arrested and the dog was taken to the vets for treatment. The dog received four superficial knife wounds to its head and one more serious wound, four centimetre in length, close to its thorax. It was assessed to be an inch deep and not to have penetrated thorough to its abdomen as the knife had hit a rib.
"However, the dog suffered an infection and a further examination revealed the knife had in fact punctured the abdomen - an injury from which the dog did not recover and later died. The court was told that Tavares made no comment to the police after her arrest."
Defending Matt Harbinson, for Tavares, said that she had been the victim of abuse and a degree of controlling behaviour and was also suffering from post natal depression following the birth of her third baby.
"She describes this episode as a complete breakdown," said Mr Harbinson. "She was studying for a business degree, had a part time job and was looking after three children while also being the victim of domestic abuse. This was a day when excessive pressure was brought to bear over the dog's behaviour and she then reacted in the way she did. A number of mental health documents and reports have been submitted to this court in relation to her current medical condition."
In sentencing Tavares to a 12-month prison term, suspended for 18 months, Judge Ian Lawrie KC to her: "You qualify for a custodial term as, whatever the circumstances surrounding the incident, it was unforgivable that the animal should suffer in the way you treated it. However, you have strong mitigation and I am prepared to support you with an order to give you all the help you need so that you don't commit an offence like this again.
"This doesn't change the fact that you wielded a very large kitchen knife, which must have been terrifying, and you then went on to inflict wounds to a dog who was defenceless and they led to its untimely death. It is clear you are an intelligent woman and have ambitions. While the custody threshold has been crossed, you've shown a significant prospect of rehabilitation. I also accept your offending was completely out of character."
Tavares was sentenced to 12 months jail suspended for 18 months and ordered to do 60 hours of unpaid work and undergo 12 months of mental health treatment and up to 20 days of rehabilitation activities. She was also banned from keeping protected animals for five years.
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