Chihuahua killer’s 20-year pet ban
Archie suffered a fractured skull, severe brain injury and died after thug whacked him
A CARE home worker who hit his Chihuahua so hard it died from brain injuries has been banned from keeping a pet for 20 years. David Aird was also fined £420 after admitting hitting tiny Archie and causing a fatal haemorrhage. A post-mortem examination found he died from “blunt force trauma” and could have suffered severe pain. The Chihuahua is the smallest of toy dog breeds and usually weighs up to only three kilograms. Aird, 29, appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday and pleaded guilty to causing a protected animal unnecessary suffering. The court heard Aird struck the dog with his hand causing a “severe and extensive haemorrhage in the cranial vault” resulting in significant brain compression.
The incident happened at his home in Tranent, East Lothian, on February 3.
The court was told Aird did take Archie, a Chihuahua-Jack Russell cross, to a vet for treatment but he died.
Fiscal depute Deborah King said a post-mortem examination was later conducted and it found Archie had suffered “blunt force trauma to the top of the skull” from what appeared to be a single blow.
King said the examination concluded the injury could have been been caused by something similar to a stick or hammer, or a punch or kick.
The prosecutor said the “force to fracture the skull might have rendered the dog unconscious” and that might have been immediate, but this wasn’t certain.
She said Archie may have been in pain until falling unconsciousness.
Aird, who represented himself, said he was a care home worker. Sheriff Peter McCormack banned him from owning or keeping a pet for 20 years and fined him £420.
Scottish SPCA chief inspector Sarah Gregory said: “We are very pleased that David Aird has been given a 20-year ban and fine.
“Aird was remorseful and did contact us and a vet for assistance after the incident but this does not diminish the amount of unnecessary suffering Archie was caused.
“Aird’s actions were unacceptable and he is ultimately responsible for Archie’s death due to the extent of his injuries.”