The daughter-in-law of a woman whose dog was flung from a fifth-floor balcony today said “justice has been done” as a Black Country couple started 12-week jail sentences.
Angela Howells said the family now had closure over a crime committed by Alexander and Sheena Spence that they had to keep from pensioner Nancy Howells as she lay dying in hospital.
The 46-year-old of Coleshill, Warwickshire, said: “I think the priority that we all wanted was to make sure they never owned an animal again.
“We now have justice for mum. I hope that this sends out a message to tell people that have animals to look after them and I would like to thank the RSPCA, they worked really hard to see this through.
“We have closure now because this matter has been hanging over everyone’s heads. I think it’s the right outcome and justice has been done.”
Scottish terrier Laddie was beaten to death and flung from the balcony of the Spence’s flat in Wyndmill Crescent, Charlemont Farm, West Bromwich.
Sheena Spence, 62, took Laddie home to look after as Mrs Howells was in hospital. However, she and husband Alexander, 60, who were drunk and had been arguing, both beat Laddie after he bit her on the ankle. They both admitted causing unnecessary suffering and two counts of failing to take reasonable steps to protect an animal and were jailed for 12 weeks at West Bromwich Magistrates Court yesterday.
They were also banned from owning an animal for life and were each ordered to pay £250 costs. Mrs Howells, of Winchester Road, West Bromwich, died not knowing Laddie’s fate, which Angela said “would have killed her” had she survived. “We couldn’t tell her,” said Angela, married to Mrs Howell’s son, Walter. “She had only been in hospital for a few days and we just couldn’t tell her. It was awful.
“Everytime we were visiting her she would be saying “how’s Laddie” and we would be saying “don’t worry about Laddie, think about yourself”.” Laddie was nearly six years old.
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