Man jailed for killing dog in machine

Drunken Andrew Glazzard has been jailed for 16 weeks for killing his dog by putting her in a washing machine "to teach it a lesson" after she made a mess – and then he fell asleep.

Magistrates, shown pictures of teeth marks on the drum of the machne which the prosecution said demonstrated her terror, said it was a "heinous and horrid" crime and banned him from keeping any animal for five years.

Glazzard, aged 41, of Falcon Way, Dudley, admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal at his former Lye home.

Mr Mark Cooper, prosecuting said the Staffordshire bull terrier-labrador cross was forced into the machine as it was switched on for a few seconds.

"He removed the pet from the machine but put her back in when he noticed her tail was still wagging.

"Unfortunately on this occasion he fell asleep. He only realised what he had done when he woke up."

He said he put the body into a bag and threw it into the River Stour, near to the Bonded Warehouse, Canal Street, on November 27.

Glazzard admitted the offence after being arrested in Stourbridge when he became abusive to community support officers.

Miss Amanda Hahn, defending, said Glazzard was full of remorse and had been going to the police station to admit what he had done when he was arrested.

"It has been eating him up since he first realised what he had done and has said he deserves any sentence he gets," she said.

"He has a drink problem and realises he needs help. He had an affectionate relationship with the dog and took her for walks every day. This was a one-off incident exacerbated by his drink problem."

Head magistrate Owen Jones said: "This was a heinous, horrid crime which was deliberate.

"The dog must have been in terror and drink is no excuse for what you did. When you first released the animal from the machine you put it in again."

Glazzard also admitted possessing of a small quantity of cannabis for which there was no separate punishment.

He is expected to serve half the sentence in jail and be placed under a curfew order when released.