Mum stabbed pet canine with 12in knife after it escaped

A mum launched a “frenzied” deadly knife attack on the household canine after it had escaped from their home, a courtroom heard.

Erica Tavares, 22, stabbed her American Bulldog named Thanos after having a row together with her accomplice in regards to the pet’s escape, Gloucester Crown Court was instructed. Thanos suffered 5 wounds as Tavares repeatedly jabbed at him with a 12in kitchen knife and a deadly wound to his stomach.

Tavares, previously of Constance Close, Stroud, however now of Hackney, London, admitted inflicting pointless struggling to Thanos and assaulting her accomplice on February 11 this 12 months. She was sentenced to 12 months jail suspended for 18 months and ordered to do 60 hours of unpaid work and bear 12 months of psychological well being therapy.

Tavares was additionally ordered to finish as much as 20 days of rehabilitation actions. She has been banned from maintaining protected animals for 5 years.

Prosecutor Ed Hollingsworth instructed the courtroom that the incident occurred on February 11 when Tavares’s accomplice had returned to their home in Stroud. On his arrival he was instructed that Thanos had been working across the avenue throughout the early hours of that morning. He had been taken in by native vets who contacted the police and later organized for the canine to be returned to its homeowners.

Mr Hollingsworth stated: “This caused a heated argument between the couple which evolved into other accusations being made, with Tavares suggesting that he leave the home and end their relationship. On coming down the stairs, he saw Tavares attacking the dog with a 12in kitchen knife and trying to stab it. He describes Tavares as sitting on the kitchen floor yelling out that she was going to kill the dog as she made several jabbing motions with the knife.

“She stabbed the dog in the abdomen area while Mr Barros yelled out to her to stop what she was doing. A struggle ensued and Tavares tried to take Mr Barros’ phone from him because he had filmed part of the incident. 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 through 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 courtroom was instructed that Tavares made no remark to the police after her arrest.

Matt Harbinson, for Tavares, stated that she had been the sufferer of abuse and was additionally affected by post-natal melancholy following the delivery of her third child. Mr Harbinson stated: “She describes this episode as a complete breakdown. She was studying for a business degree, had a part-time job and was looking after three children. 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.”

In sentencing, Judge Ian Lawrie KC stated: “You qualify for a custodial time period as, regardless of the circumstances surrounding the incident, it was unforgivable that the animal ought to endure in the best way you handled it. However, you may have robust mitigation and I’m ready to assist you with an order to present you all of the provide help to want so that you just don’t commit an offence like this once more. This doesn’t change the truth that you wielded a really giant kitchen knife, and also you then went on to inflict wounds to a canine who was defenceless they usually led to its premature demise.

“It is evident you’re an clever girl and have ambitions. While the custody threshold has been crossed, you’ve proven a big prospect of rehabilitation. I additionally settle for your offending was fully out of character.”