Man Jailed After Killing Ex-Girlfriend’s Chihuahua and Delivering the Dog’s Body in a Shopping Bag

A 51-year-old man has been handed an additional prison sentence after brutally killing his former partner’s beloved Chihuahua and leaving the dog’s body inside a shopping bag at the address where she was staying. The disturbing case, which unfolded in Paignton, Devon, England, has drawn condemnation from animal welfare officials, who described the killing as vicious, unnecessary, and carried out in a particularly cruel manner.

Scott O’Shea was sentenced to an additional 14 weeks in prison after admitting animal welfare offenses connected to the death of Kilo, a four-year-old Chihuahua. The incident occurred in January, when O’Shea had been staying temporarily at his estranged partner’s home because he was homeless. According to details presented in court, tensions escalated that night, and he threatened his former partner, telling her to leave the property. She left without taking Kilo with her.

Hours later, O’Shea reportedly went to the address where his former partner had found somewhere to stay. He knocked on the door, left a shopping bag outside, and made a chilling remark: “The dog’s in the bag.” When the woman discovered Kilo inside, she contacted police. Officers subsequently attended and found the dog in the living room.

A post-mortem examination revealed that Kilo had suffered multiple skull fractures. The findings also indicated that the dog had not died immediately from his injuries. Investigators said the results suggested there may have been a period during which the animal could potentially have survived with timely intervention, making the circumstances surrounding his death even more distressing.

The RSPCA investigated the case and strongly condemned the killing. Inspector Sarah Morris described it as a completely unnecessary death involving a much-loved, healthy pet. She emphasized that animals experience pain and suffering and deserve to be treated with kindness and compassion. The case has renewed attention on the need to protect animals from cruelty and ensure that serious offenses are properly addressed.

During sentencing, the court heard that O’Shea had expressed remorse and was receiving medication for psychosis. He was already serving a three-year prison sentence at HMP Exeter for arson-related offending and assaulting police officers at Torbay Hospital. The additional 14-week term will run consecutively to his existing sentence. He has also been banned from owning or keeping animals for life, with restrictions preventing him from appealing the ban for at least 15 years.

Kilo’s death has left a painful reminder of the vulnerability of pets caught in difficult domestic circumstances. While the court has imposed further punishment and a lifetime animal-keeping ban, the case has also prompted renewed calls from animal welfare advocates for compassion toward animals and accountability when they are subjected to deliberate harm.

Source: The Sun — https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/40722707/psycho-kills-dog-gives-bag-ex/