Derbyshire man banned from keeping animals for life after he beat dog to death and threw cat at wall

Kelvin McKendry received a 19 week prison sentence for killing his British Bulldog Marley by beating him around the head and body at his home in Cotmanhay Road, Illkeston on February 13 last year.

Following the violent assault which also left the animal with traumatic injuries to his internal organs, the 19-year-old buried Marley in woodland near his home.

Mckendry pleaded guilty to two charges of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and two charges of failing to take reasonable steps to ensure the needs of an animal for which he was responsible at Derby Magistrates’ Court on April 19.

The court heard how the 19-year-old told his youth offending worker that his dog died the night before and he buried him in a field where he used to walk him.

The RSPCA were contacted but they were unable to find McKendry when they visited his address.

But four days later, Derbyshire police received information about where the British Bulldog had been buried.

A pathologist report concluded that Marley suffered “horrific” life threatening injuries caused by multiple blunt force trauma.

The RSPCA tracked McKendry down after they received information about an injured cat in Rose Hill, Woodville, near Swadlincote on July 21.

Inspector Rachel Leafe visited the property along with officers, following claims that a cat called Gypsy had broken her pelvis after she was thrown against a wall.

The 19-year-old was arrested in connection with other matters for which he was jailed.

Inspector Leafe said: “According to the pathologist report it is clear poor Marley had suffered from a series of injuries which led to his death.

“Gypsy was also in a suffering state after McKendry threw her against a wall.

"She had emergency surgery and after weeks of cage rest I was pleased to hear she had made a good recovery at Derby’s Abbey Street Rehoming Centre.

“Now called Aggi she has now been nursed back to health thanks to dedicated staff and has just moved into her forever home in the countryside.”

McKendry was given a lifetime ban on keeping animals and ordered to pay a £121 victim surcharge.

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