Dog strangled
Ulster, NI (UK)

Incident Date: Friday, Apr 30, 2004

Disposition: Acquitted

Person of Interest: Thomas Brady

A dog trainer was described as "grossly negligent" by an Ulster judge after he strangled a pet. Thomas Brady was cleared of animal cruelty in Newry Magistrates Court in April 2005.

But Judge Paul Copeland told the dog trainer he was "not only negligent, but grossly negligent and incompetent".

Ulster businessman, Des Gray, had left his much loved Labrador, Henry, in Brady's care at Glenanne Obedience Dog Training, near Markethill in County Armagh, in May 2004.

When he returned from a holiday abroad, one week later, his five-year-old pet was dead.

"Brady told me Henry had suffered a heart attack and died," said Des.

But an autopsy revealed that Henry had died from a form of strangulation.

The court also heard the chocolate brown Labrador's death had been unknowingly witnessed by Newry dog groomer, Kathy O'Reilly.

She testified against Brady in the court case.

"Thomas had brought the dog in to be groomed," said Kathy.

"I asked him to help me restrain him as he was very big and a bit boisterous, in a playful way. I had put a normal dog collar on him, but Thomas said I have something better.

"He brought in something I have never seen before - a thick rope with a leather type of muzzle that wrapped all the way around Henry's head. He held on tightly to this leash while straddling Henry and I continued grooming.

"I did think his methods were severe but he was the dog trainer, I didn't feel confident enough to challenge him."

But Brady was holding on so tightly to this homemade leash, he was, unintentionally, strangling the dog.

Eventually Henry lay down and died.

The Labrador couldn't even bark out for help, the strap was holding his mouth firmly shut.

No-one is sure how long it took Henry to die, but Kathy is still deeply traumatised about the death.

The Sunday Life, newspaper, contacted Thomas Brady. He said: "I was acquitted of all charges."

USPCA chief executive, Stephen Philpott, says this tragic death should be a warning to Ulster dog owners, "be very careful where you leave your pets!"

"We've had numerous complaints about Glenanne training and Mr Brady doesn't even have a licence to board dogs."

A Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs spokeswoman confirmed Glenanne did not have a licence "on the basis that this is not a boarding establishment, i.e. as to date there is no evidence that the owner is receiving payment for accommodating other people's dogs.

She added: "There is no licensing of dog training establishments in Northern Ireland."

References

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