Redcar man killed pet guinea pig in row with partner

Lee Jason Close threw a pet guinea pig over a six foot fence after having a drink-fuelled row with his partner

Teesside Crown Court

A domestic dispute led to a man killing a pet guinea pig by throwing it over a fence.
Lee Jason Close subjected a rabbit to the same ordeal and also threw a dog down the stairs, a court was told.

The 43-year-old Redcar man took it out on the pets after having a drink-fuelled row with his partner.
Close became abusive and she responded by moving to another room, taking the dog with her, Teesside Magistrates’ Court heard.

But Close kicked open the door, breaking the lock, at which point the dog started barking, said prosecutor Paul Power.

Mr Power said the defendant grabbed the dog by the throat and carried it to the stairs. When he got about halfway down he threw the animal the rest of the way, about six feet to the floor.
Close also took his anger out on a rabbit and a guinea pig, both animals being thrown over a six foot fence.

The rabbit survived but the guinea pig died, added Mr Power.
And in a later incident he carried out a common assault on his partner, in which he spat in her face. Part of the incident was witnessed by the woman’s teenage daughter, the court heard.
Close, of Baysdale Grove, Redcar, admitted three offences of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal and one of common assault, all committed last month.

Andrew Foster, representing Close, said he had nothing of a similar nature on his record. He said Close had been under a tremendous amount of stress and had “snapped” on that night, with alcohol having played a part.
Close’s partner said his behaviour had been “completely out of character” and she had never thought of him as “a danger to herself or animals”,

The court was told they were still together and whilst she had been moving into a new property he had been looking after her animals without any problems.
Mr Foster said Close was entitled to credit for his guilty pleas, had shown remorse and was motivated to address the reasons why the offences had taken place.

He was given a 14-week jail term suspended for two years, with supervision for 24 months and an alcohol specified activity requirement.

Close was also ordered to pay £100 compensation, with £85 costs and an £80 victim surcharge, and banned from keeping animals for ten years.

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