A 50-YEAR-OLD man has been convicted of killing a fox “in a sadistic and prolonged act of cruelty.”
William Burrell, of Short Street, Stapenhill, caged the wild animal for eight hours before fitting a noose around its neck and ‘slinging’ it in a dog kennel to be mauled to death “like a rag doll.”
The fox eventually died from a ‘fatal blow’ to the head with a piece of wood.
Burrell had claimed he killed the fox instantly with three blows to the skull, before slinging the animal’s dead carcass to a Staffordshire Bull Terrier kept in a pen at his property.
However, Burton Magistrates’ Court heard ‘compelling’ evidence from veterinary surgeon David Martin who said he was 100 per cent certain the fox was alive when it was savaged by the dog.
“There was a considerable number of injuries caused by dog bites. These areas were surrounded by extensive haemorrhaging — which could not have been caused if the fox had been dead. The cause of death was a blow to the head and the dog bites preceded the blow to the head,” he said.
Burrell was initially reported to the RSPCA at 7.30am on October 8, 2009, by April Hood, whose property overlooks his garden.
She was awoken at 4.30am after a hand-made trap went off. She continued to monitor the fox until around 11.30am, when Burrell was seen fitting a rope around its neck.
“I heard two different noises — one sounded like a dog snarling and another noise like a squealing or screaming noise.
This went on for around 15 minutes.
“I later saw Mr Burrell pick up a fence panel and make a hitting action with his arm.”
RSPCA Inspector Penny Baker presented photographic evidence to the court, which showed a bloodspattered kennel and yard.
In police statements read to the court, Burrell said he wanted “to get rid” of the fox as it had been plaguing him and his pigeons for three weeks.
“I caught it and killed it by hitting it over the head. Its eyes had glazed over.
Putting its dead body in the dog run was a big mistake.”
Frederick Powell, defending, said: “These matters are always highly emotional, but let us stick to the facts. Ms Hood says she heard two distinct sounds yet Mr Burrell says there was no sound to be heard as the fox was dead.
“The RSPCA knew this fox had been caged at 7.30am, however they chose not to respond until 2pm.
“We’ve heard evidence from Mr Martin to suggest he is absolutely certain the fox was alive when it was bitten by the dog.
“Science is good but it is not always correct.”
Magistrates found him guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a fox by confining it to a cage before allowing a dog to attack and causing or attempting to cause an animal fight.
RSPCA Inspector Ms Baker said: “I’m extremely pleased with the outcome.
This is the worst case of animal cruelty I have ever seen in my career. This case will send out a clear and strong message that this behaviour will not be tolerated.”
The case was adjourned for all-options pre-sentence reports until Friday, August 27.
