An Austrian count shot his other half’s dog dead and concealed its body throughout ‘acrimonious’ divorce procedures – however declared he was putting the family pet out of its torment, a court heard.
Count Konrad Goess-Saurau, 70, had actually rejected a charge of criminal damage on the premises that it was sensible to ‘damage’ the animal to end his suffering.
At Swindon Magistrates’ Court district attorney Ben Worthington stated the German guideline called Herman was entirely owned by his other half Countess Susan Goess-Saurau.
He stated the Countess got back at Temple Farm, Marlborough, on November 21 in 2015 and could not discover Herman.
On inspecting the CCTV video footage, which revealed her spouse taking her dog, she called him.
She declared his action was: “I have actually put the dog down, he is revolting, no one likes him.”.
Disturbed by occasions, the Countess – who has actually been wed to the Count for 26 years – telephoned Wiltshire Authorities to report the occurrence.
She informed the court: “We had a heated conversation in the early morning due to the fact that he ‘d peed the day in the past.
” I didn’t see it, however the dog had actually peed through the bannister on the landing onto the table listed below.”.
Mr Worthington stated: “The offender did not have consent to deal with the dog in the method he carried out in any occasion.”.
He stated the Count confessed the shooting in a hand-written ready declaration handed to a law enforcement officer in an interview – however declared the family pet had cancer and remained in pain.
” I complete confess that I shot Herman, my weapon dog. I shot him humanely and buried him with my gamekeeper”, it checked out.
” I needed to take the merciful path to end Herman’s suffering.”.
The Count likewise informed authorities that criminal procedures over Herman’s death were encouraged by a divorce and acquiring a bigger settlement.
The Countess – a master of foxhounds with VWH Hunt – declared Herman, who was acquired by her mom Brenda Williams for her 46th birthday, stayed healthy and delighted.
” He came riding every early morning with me, and out in the afternoon, he was balancing 10 miles a day so he was really really in shape”, she stated.
Including: “It was such a dreadful thing to do, the dog didn’t should have to pass away and it was my dog, not his dog.
” I love my canines. When their time comes, it is done so in a kind, calm and thoughtful way.
” I believe he had lots of life left in him. He was simply an old dog that was decreasing a bit.”.
When asked by Benjamin Newton, protecting, whether it would help in divorce procedures if her spouse has a rap sheet, she responded: “It’s not something I thought about. I am identified to get justice for my dog who didn’t should have to pass away because way.”.
Mrs Goess-Saurau stated previous household canines have actually been required to the veterinarians to be euthanased at the end of their life – never ever shot.
Christopher Willis, who has actually been a farrier at Temple Farm given that 2006, informed the court: “All canines like a farrier, so he was constantly pleased to see me.
” I never ever took a look at him and believed he was getting a bit doddery or anything.”.
When Count Goess-Saurau’s child Markus – from a previous marital relationship – required to the represent the defence, he declared Herman was a household animal who had a relationship with everyone.
He stated: “He was a searching dog, he would hunt. He’s popular for eliminating deer. It’s something we had a hard time to stop him doing.”.
He went on to state that at the time of the shooting, Herman had actually degraded in aging and was “aching, stiff and hopping”, including that his body was covered in “malignant swellings”.
Markus informed that court: “There wasn’t a part of his body you might put your hand on where there wasn’t a bump.
” There was a concern in your house, something constantly required tidying up in the early mornings, either urine or, call it, poo.
” I have actually seen him better, provided the dog he when was.”.
Temple Farm gamekeeper Phil Holborow stated Herman was ill.
” He had swellings all over him and he was unsteady on his legs, his back end was going, that’s how I ‘d explain it. He was ill, the bad old kid looked ill.”.
” In my words, he required putting down, in my words. I believe he was suffering.
” He [the Count] informed me the dog crapped all over in your house, he stated ‘I believe we require to handle it’. He asked me to bury it, do that’s what I did.”.
Previous Temple Farm supervisor for 35 years, Christopher Musgrove explained the Count as an “global entrepreneur with a take care of the environment”.
Summarizing, Mr Worthington informed the bench of 3 magistrates: “He wasn’t at the end of his life; he did not require to be gotten and shot.”.
He stated that the Countess was “plainly enthusiastic about the health of her dog”, validating that Herman was required to the veterinarians frequently throughout his life.
Mr Newton stated his customer is a guy of excellent character and had a legal reason to dedicate criminal damage.
He stated Mrs Goess-Saurau has “wider matters at mind”.
Mr Worthington include that using a gun, specifically a rifle, to eliminate the animal in a “vengeance attack” was an annoying function.
Chair of the bench, Beverly Payne, returned a decision of guilty.
She stated: “We keep in mind the relationship was acrimonious and had actually been on that day.
” We make sure that you act unreasonably, you might have arranged taking Herman to a veterinarian to be euthanized like all the other animals.
” You should have understood that would have distressed your other half. We do discover you guilty.”.
Explaining the offense as having a “high degree of preparation”, Ms Payne enforced a ₤ 2,000 fine. He needs to likewise pay ₤ 620 expenses and a ₤ 200 additional charge.
