Kasie Armstrong – THROCKLEY, Newcastle

A woman from Newcastle has avoided prison after brutally beating her partner’s dog to death in a prolonged and vicious attack.

The body of Barney, a Jack Russell Terrier, was found at an address in Northbourne Street, belonging to the partner of Kasie Armstrong on October 2 last year.

Barney was later found to have suffered a series of catastrophic injuries including a lacerated liver, fractures to the ribs and cheekbone. He died from massive internal bleeding as a result.

The incident was reported to the RSPCA due to the suspicious nature of his death, and because of incriminating text messages between Armstrong and her partner, who owned him.

Newcastle Crown Court heard that Armstrong, previously of Westgate Road but now of Throckley, pleaded with her partner not to contact the police, but he told her that he already had, and that Barney’s blood was on her shoes which were still at the scene.

During the investigation, RSPCA Inspector Helen Bestwick was shown the body of Barney by a relative of Armstrong’s partner the day after the incident.

He was lying on a sofa, and she could see bruising and swelling on his body and blood around his mouth, with blood marks also evident on the sofa, floor, and radiator near his bed in the hallway.

Inspector Bestwick then took the body for a post-mortem examination which showed the extensive injuries the pet had suffered, resulting in his ‘traumatic’ death.

The post mortem reads as follows: “Rib fractures were confirmed and a fracture of the cheek bone was noted, coinciding with the scratch mark seen below the left eye.

“A liver laceration resulting in fatal internal bleeding was found to be the cause of death. The injuries noted are consistent with non-accidental injury. The dog had been subjected to blunt force trauma and or crush injuries resulting in broken bones and catastrophic internal bleeding.

“This could have been the result of a beating with or without an object kicking or stomping or a combination. The force required to cause this level of trauma would have been significant and repeated. This would have resulted in excruciating pain, significant fear and mental strain.

“It is my opinion, given the evidence on the dog’s body, that Barney suffered from immense trauma prior to death. This trauma was non-accidental and likely malicious.”

During an interview with the RSPCA, Armstrong claimed the dog had bitten her, but when she was asked to show any injuries there were no wounds or scars visible.

On top of her animal ban, Armstrong was sentenced to a one year jail sentence, suspended for 18 months, and told to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work.

She was also given 15 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement Days and a six month mental health treatment requirement.