Leon Kramolis – Birmingham

A puppy had to be put down after its ‘sadistic’ owner caused it multiple serious injuries including mutilating its toes, broken skull, broken jaw and broken ribs – BUT still avoided prison!

Leon Kramolis was also caught on CCTV slapping the young Staffordshire bull terrier, named Rex, wrapping a dish cloth around its head and placing a mug over its face and muzzle.

The pup was also found to have a broken skull, jaw and ribs, when it was rescued.

Tragically, it had to be euthanised to stop the terrible suffering.

Kramolis, 25, of no fixed address, admitted two charges of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and two further welfare offences.

At Birmingham Crown Court he was sentenced to a two-year community order and banned from keeping animals for life.

Judge Simon Drew KC concluded he had already been ‘punished’ in prison having been held in custody on remand.

In late February last year Kramolis was living at supported accommodation in Nicholls Street, West Bromwich.

It is believed the dog was between eight to ten weeks old at the time.

Sarah Pratt, prosecuting for the RSPCA, told the court that when support workers first saw the puppy it seemed ‘happy and healthy’ with no obvious injuries.

They were only concerned that Kramolis fed it tomatoes and potatoes so they went to get it some appropriate food.

However, they told him he was not allowed to keep the puppy in the property and that he had to rehome it.

Ms Pratt stated there was a ‘distinct difference’ between Kramolis’ behaviour towards the dog in the presence of staff, and then a few minutes later when he was captured on CCTV ‘tying a dish cloth around the puppy’s head’.

Further footage showed him slapping the puppy, handling it roughly, pulling at its limbs and putting a mug over its face.

The prosecutor told the court that in the early hours of March 1 that year Kramolis was caught on camera fetching two knives from the kitchen.

Ms Pratt said: “As a result there were concerns about the puppy and the defendant.

“The defendant appeared to be hiding the puppy. He left the property without it.

“When questioned he appeared to be hiding it in his room.”

Staff called the police who confirmed the dog was inside his room alive.

Kramolis was evicted and escorted out of the property the following day.

Ms Pratt said: “The puppy was concealed inside his coat. It didn’t appear to be moving and breathing properly.

“When the defendant arrived at his mother’s home he placed it in a dog bed.

“It appeared unwell and motionless. At this time the mutilation was seen.

“It had no toenails left, they had been cut down to the quick and beyond.”

Police and the RSPCA were called and the dog was taken to a vet in a comatose state.

Not only had the nails been cut too far down but some of the toes had been completely severed.

The puppy had also developed septicaemia because of older injuries that had not been treated.

Bloodstained sheets were found back at Kramolis’ room.

Ms Pratt added: “Sadly this puppy was so unwell permission was obtained to put it to sleep.”

Kramolis provided no explanation for the injuries only to say he had been cutting the dog’s toenails.

Kramolis was ordered to carry out 42 days rehabilitation activity as part of his community order.

Judge Drew, passing sentence on Friday, December 12, described the case as ‘horrible’ and concluded Kramolis’s actions were ‘sadistic’.

He said: “If you are pushed out of the prison gates without support, frankly I can see you coming back here very quickly.

“This is primarily aimed at rehabilitation rather than punishment.

“You have already suffered punishment in custody for a substantial period of time.”