Dog Killer Escapes Conviction

[Teebs]

http://www.centralwesterndaily.com.au/news...on/1948261.aspx

A MOLONG man who trapped his neighbours’ dog before shooting it in the head has escaped conviction.

Robert Edward Bennett, 61, of Park Street, Molong, pleaded guilty to committing an act of cruelty upon an animal before Orange Local Court yesterday.

The one-year-old kelpie-Jack Russell cross, Mac, belonged to Bennett’s neighbours and their four children aged between two and 12.

The dog had been raised by the family.

It went missing earlier this year.

On Friday, June 25, Mac’s owners were sitting on their front verandah drinking coffee when they heard two gunshots.

After the first shot, the couple heard what sounded like a dog yelping.

Later, their 12-year-old son went searching for Mac and asked Bennett if he’d seen the missing dog.

According to a statement of police facts, Bennett replied: “Come over and have a seat boy. He’s over there, very dead.”

Bennett showed the boy a trap he’d set that contained Mac, who had two gunshot wounds to the head.

The boy climbed into the trap, picked up the dead dog and, covered in blood, carried him home crying hysterically.

His mother contacted the police.

During an interview with police, Bennett complained he’d come home a month earlier and found several of his chickens dead and suspected Mac was to blame.

Police argued there was no evidence to suggest the dog was responsible and pointed out Bennett did not contact police, council officers or rangers about the death of his chickens.

During the interview, police reported Bennett “did not seem to see the problem with trapping the neighbours’ dog and killing it”.

Solicitor Bob Rogers told magistrate Terry Lucas the incident was out of character for his client.

“He has never been before the court before and until a couple of weeks ago had never been inside a court room,” Mr Rogers said. “He is a man brought up in rural NSW all his life and as a result has certain traits of living on a rural property.

“Mr Bennett knows now and should have known then he had other options available to him other than the one he took.”

Mr Lucas said Bennett’s actions were unacceptable.

“That may well have been an acceptable practice 20 to 30 years ago,” he said. “These days it is not.”

Bennett was placed on a good behaviour bond for 12 months and ordered to pay $79 court costs. Mr Lucas warned Bennett he could be handed a custodial sentence if he breaks the bond.

Bennett has offered to buy his neighbours a new dog.

[Sheridan]

'I used to live in the country so I can shoot dogs in town.'

$79.00. That's all this poor family's dog is worth according to the judge.

[Kody's_Mum]

What a horrible act!

That poor young boy will be scared by the image of his best mate for life!

I can not believe the penalty this man got. $79! WTF! But then again why should I be surprised, no one seems to get an appropriate punishment when it comes to animal cruelty.

RIP Mac.

[Lhok]

RIP Mac

I don't condone what the man did, but the family is also partially to blame if the dog was wandering enough to be caught in a trap.

--Lhok

[Adza]

I'm just so sick of the legal system

RIP Mac

[dogbesotted]

what crap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

this is an insult to all decent thinking people.

there are provedure for dealing with the problem that the man had.. he only suspected the dog had killed his chickens.. that does not excuse his barbaric actions.. including the way he told the lad .. the guy is a a hole and sadly has not been treated as one..

it makes a mockery of animal laws

H

[steve11]

Acceptable 20-30 years ago says who???

I don't know who's worse, the redneck with the firearm or the neanderthal with the gavel & wig???

What a f...ing disgrace.

Edited September 24, 2010 by steve11

[*Bones*]

It's terrible.

Perhaps it would be possible to begin an internet petition to reopen the case, increase the fine, and try to get jail time. Nothing would happen, but perhaps it would deter other people.

As it is now, I can slaughter the neighbours dog, psychologically shatter their child, and walk away.

That isn't a good message

[spottychick]

This is why I gave up practising law......................

[sandra64]

This is why I gave up practising law......................

im hearing you on this one

[Roguedog]

WTF?!?! poor dog, lucky for that guy it wasnt my dog he did it to! my hubby would have done some "bushy" justice back at the guy!!

[HugUrPup]

Oh that poor 12 year old boy traumatised for life because of someone's ignorance.

[Her Majesty Dogmad]

And there they were on TV tonight, trying to convince people to move to these towns? Scary stuff. The dog shouldn't have been wandering but the neighbour is a prize a---hole. Offering to buy them another dog?? And that will make it all right? Scum.

[tunagirll]

This is why you make sure your dog stays on your own property. If the yard was secure, this would never had happened (and the neighbour would never had reason to suspect the kelpie killed his chickens).