Katie Byard and Richard Morgan have been handed suspended sentences
A couple whose dogs died after they were hit with a broom and kicked in the face have been punished in court.
Katie Byard admitted hurting her white Chihuahua called Coco and black, while her boyfriend Richard Morgan injured her white Jack Russell Terrier cross called Teddy.
Coco was kicked in the face, while Teddy was ‘violently hit' with a broom.
The RSPCA launched an investigation after receiving complaints regarding injuries sustained by the two dogs.
The pets were owned by Byard, 35, and under the care of both her and Morgan, 34.
A vet logged concerns after Teddy was found to have suffered a fractured skull and later died.
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Concerns were then raised about Coco, who had been brought in to vets a few days later with suspected non-accidental injuries.
Coco was showing signs of trauma, bruising and swelling to the left side of her face.
She was transferred to RSPCA Birmingham Animal Hospital but could not be saved.
In their report, the vet said: “It is clear from the extent of the injuries sustained by both of the dogs that these injuries would not have occurred without significant blunt force trauma being applied.”
RSPCA inspector Boris Lasserre, who investigated for the animal welfare charity, said: “This proved to be a most shocking example of non-accidental injuries which led to the death of both dogs.
“Coco was kicked so hard that her eye ruptured and fractured eye socket and needed repeated surgery.
“Teddy had suffered a fractured skull from the force of the blows he received from the very person who was supposed to protect him.
“Animals feel pain and suffering, just like we do, and there is never an excuse for inflicting such violent trauma onto animals.
“All animal owners have a duty of care and legal responsibility to treat their pets with kindness and compassion.”
Byard and Morgan admitted causing unnecessary suffering to an animal and were handed a five-year ban on owning animals.
Morgan was handed a 23-week sentence, suspended for 12 months, along with 40 hours unpaid work, a 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement and a 120-day alcohol abstinence monitoring requirement.
Byard was handed a 20-week sentence, suspended for 12 months, with a 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement.
Both defendants were told they must also pay £250 costs at the hearing at Wolverhampton Crown Court on April 9.
Morgan, of Teasdale Way, Stourbridge, said Teddy's injury was caused by a single blow with a broom and a momentary lapse of judgment.
Byard, of Stourbridge Road, Brierley Hill, admitted kicking Coco in the face, also said to be due to a momentary lapse of judgment.
