Mum killed family dog with 12-inch knife in ‘frenzied’ attack

A mum killed the family dog in a "frenzied" knife attack following a row with her partner about the pet's escape. Thanos, an American Bulldog, died after it suffered five stab wounds at the hands of his owner, Erica Tavares. The 22-year-old repeatedly jabbed at him with a 12-inch kitchen knife, delivering a fatal wound to his abdomen. Gloucester Crown Court [1] heard that the incident happened on February 11, when Tavares's partner had returned to their home in Stroud.

Prosecutor Ed Hollingsworth told the court that on his arrival, he was told Thanos had been running around the street during the early hours of that morning. He had been taken in by local vets who contacted the police and later arranged for the dog to be returned home. Mr Hollingsworth said: "This caused a heated argument between the couple which evolved into other accusations being made, with Tavares suggesting that he leave the home and end their relationship.

On coming down the stairs, he saw Tavares attacking the dog with a 12-inch kitchen knife and trying to stab it. "He describes Tavares as sitting on the kitchen floor yelling out that she was going to kill the dog as she made several jabbing motions with the knife. She stabbed the dog in the abdomen area while Mr Barros yelled out to her to stop what she was doing.

A struggle ensued and Tavares tried to take Mr Barros' phone from him because he had filmed part of the incident. When this struggle went out onto the street the police were called by a neighbour. Tavares was arrested and the dog was taken to the vets for treatment."

He continued: "The dog received four superficial knife wounds to its head and one more serious wound, four centimetre in length, close to its thorax. It was assessed to be an inch deep and not to have penetrated through to its abdomen as the knife had hit a rib. However, the dog suffered an infection and a further examination revealed the knife had in fact punctured the abdomen - an injury from which the dog did not recover and later died."

Tavares, formerly of Constance Close, Stroud, but now of Hackney, London, admitted causing unnecessary suffering to Thanos and assaulting her partner [3]. She was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for 18 months, during a hearing on December 5. In addition, she must carry out 60 hours of unpaid work, undergo 12 months of mental health treatment and complete up to 20 days of rehabilitation activities.

Taveres was also been banned from keeping protected animals for five years. Matt Harbinson, defending, said Tavares had been the victim of abuse and was also suffering from post-natal depression following the birth of her third baby. He said: "She describes this episode as a complete breakdown.

She was studying for a business degree, had a part time job and was looking after three children. This was a day when excessive pressure was brought to bear over the dog's behaviour and she then reacted in the way she did." Judge Ian Lawrie KC said: "You qualify for a custodial term as, whatever the circumstances surrounding the incident, it was unforgivable that the animal should suffer in the way you treated it.

However, you have strong mitigation and I am prepared to support you with an order to give you all the help you need so that you don't commit an offence like this again. "This doesn't change the fact that you wielded a very large kitchen knife, and you then went on to inflict wounds to a dog who was defenceless and they led to its untimely death. It is clear you are an intelligent woman and have ambitions.

While the custody threshold has been crossed, you've shown a significant prospect of rehabilitation.

I also accept your offending was completely out of character."

References

^ Gloucester Crown Court (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
^ US man 'associated with secret service' leaves UK after crash left nurse hurt (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
^ causing unnecessary suffering to Thanos and assaulting her partner (www.birminghammail.co.uk)