Man accused of beating dog to death in Methil

Vet tells trial pet’s brain bleed of same type as those suffered in boxing ring

A Fife man allegedly caused fatal brain injuries to his pet dog similar to those experienced by boxers, a court heard.

Alexander McGhee, 44, appeared at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court where he denied causing unnecessary suffering to the dog, named Murphy, who died on July 8 last year.

He is charged with causing severe blunt force trauma injuries to the lurcher-type dog who was later found in the boot of McGhee’s car by police.

McGhee claims the animal bolted from his home on Wellesley Road in Methil before he found it dead at the side of the road a short time later.

The court heard how the dog suffered numerous injuries on its sides, lower back, abdomen and neck, as well as the brain bleed that killed it.

Veterinary pathologist Dr Bryn Tennant said he believed Murphy was “hit, kicked or shaken with considerable force”.

Dr Tennant said: “The outcome of the post mortem was that this dog had been subjected to multiple traumatic incidents.

“The injuries were spread across the body and the cause of death was the bleeding on the brain.

“The constellation of injuries, in my opinion, were not consistent with a road traffic accident.

“There is a very, very remote possibility that this dog was struck by a vehicle but from what I saw, I do not believe that happened,” he said.

“The bleeding around the brain is the same as boxers get when they haemorrhage.”

Dr Tennant said he could not determine exactly what caused the blunt force trauma injuries.

The court also heard from PC Chloe Murray who was c alled to McGhee’s home after reports of concern for the welfare of animals there.

McGhee told officers he owned two dogs but “one had escaped from the property during the night and he had found it dead at the side of the road”.

He said he went out twice looking for the dog and put its body in the boot of his car when he found it next to Swan Brae.

PC Murray said she saw injuries on the owner’s right hand and he “appeared to be trying to conceal it with his sleeve”.

She said: “He told me that he had injured it punching a wall in frustration after the dog had escaped.”

Defence solicitor Scott McKenzie said his client was not hiding his hand but pushing up the sleeves of his “baggy jumper”.

He added that McGhee offered to show officers where he found the dog and was “upset” over the loss of his pet.

The trial was adjourned until October.