A man who beat his dog so severely that he had to be put to sleep has been banned from owning or keeping any dog for fifteen years. He was also jailed for 10 months for animal offences.
Terry Thurling, from Stirling, pled guilty to striking his dog, a three-year-old Romanian Shepherd named Griffin. The object was believed to be a golf club. He used excessive force several times which fractured the dog’s skull.
The dog was left with such severe injuries to the body, causing pain and suffering both physically and mentally that he had to be put to sleep.
Thurling was sentenced at Stirling Sheriff Court on Wednesday 15 January.
A Scottish SPCA Inspector said: “On that day Thurling phoned the dog wardens to tell them he had hit his dog and demanded they take the dog away. When the Dog Warden arrived, they found the dog with blood all over his head. They contacted us and we arranged to meet them at a local vet as soon as possible.
“He had a swollen head and eyes, with the third eyelid coming across the eye on the right-hand side. There was blood on the top of the head and lumps on his back. The dog appeared in reasonable body condition other than the injuries and was calm and docile.
“The dog who was quiet but responsive and showed no signs of aggression during the handling procedure. There was fresh blood over the skull and bridge of his nose and covering his muzzle. There was extensive painful swelling over the top of his skull.
“The vet concluded that the dog was hit over the top of the head at least six times with enough force to fracture its skull – he had obviously been subjected to unnecessary suffering.
“A decision was made for the dog to be euthanized on welfare grounds due to the extent of his injuries.
“We are pleased at the sentencing today. Griffin had suffered extensively both physically and mentally at the hands of Thurling and this man should never be allowed to own animals again.”
