Teenager killed dog with two kicks, court told

A teenager killed a dog by kicking it so hard it went above the head of its owner, a court has heard.

Josh Henney (19) twice kicked the dog in their underbelly while their owner was speaking to his mother.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard the dog, a cross between a Jack Russell Terrier and a Yorkshire Terrier, was named Sam and was approximately 10 months old at the time.

Henney of North William Street, Dublin City centre, pleaded guilty to killing the animal at his address on March 23, 2020. He has 36 previous convictions and is currently serving a sentence of two years with the final six months suspended for an offence of violent disorder.

Garda Adam McGrane told Dara Hayes BL, prosecuting, that on the date in question, the injured party was on North William Street with her dog and was speaking with the accused man's mother.

He said the accused was having an argument with his mother and was shouting from a window. Henney then came out of the flat and told the injured party to “f**k off out of here and mind your own business”.

The garda said Henney told the woman that he would “kill your dog”. Henney then took a run of around two metres and kicked the dog so hard it went above the head its owner.

Henney walked away, then took a second run at the dog kicking it again in the underbelly. The dog’s breathing was laboured following the second kick.

It was carried by its owner to a veterinary practise and was still alive upon arrival. The dog was put under anaesthetic, but died while undergoing treatment.

The court heard that Dr Alan Wolfe, who performed the autopsy on the dog, found multiple fractures and fissures to the dog's liver. Dr Wolfe found all of the injuries were consistent with the dog dying of blood loss due to acute trauma.

Mr Hayes told the court that the injured party in the case has no children and told gardaí the dog was like family to her and went with her wherever she went.

Gda McGrane agreed with Cathal McGreal BL, defending, that his client told gardaí­he had lost his temper and did not really remember what happened. He wished to apologise for what he did.

Counsel said his client’s father was shot in Malaga in front of Henney when he was aged 14. He said his client told a psychologist that the offence was a “horrible thing to do” and that he wants to get help so he does not do anything like that again.

Judge Melanie Greally said she does envisage extending Henney's stay in prison due to the "despicable nature" of the offence. She ordered a report from the Probation Service and adjourned the matter for finalisation to October 26th, next.