SHOCKING CRUELTY: ADRIAN MARGERISON OF SHREWSBURY KILLS DOG WITH AXE

In a disturbing incident that shocked the community of Shrewsbury, Adrian Margerison, born on 18 September 1968 and residing at 3 Castle Meadows, was convicted of the brutal killing of his pet dog, Cracker. The tragic event unfolded in the early hours of September 22, 2014, at his former residence near Snailbeach, specifically at Snailbeach Farm, Snailbeach, close to Shrewsbury.

According to court reports and evidence presented by the RSPCA prosecutor Roger Price, Margerison’s actions were both reckless and heinous. Prior to the attack, Margerison had attempted to sedate Cracker by administering between eight and ten tablets of Tramadol, a potent painkiller. Despite this effort, the medication failed to have the desired effect, leading Margerison to commit an even more grievous act of violence. He struck the dog twice on the head with the blunt end of an axe, an act that ultimately resulted in her death.

The incident was reportedly triggered by Margerison’s belief that Cracker was suffering from cancer. He claimed to have had an informal conversation with a veterinary worker he met at a garage in Minsterley, during which he was led to believe that her condition was terminal. On the night of the attack, Margerison had been drinking heavily, consuming between eight and twelve cans of cider, and had also taken some cannabis. The court heard that the dog was lying on the sofa next to him when she began to whine and then collapsed, yelping in pain and unable to walk, which he interpreted as a sign of severe distress.

At around 1 to 2 a.m. on September 22, Margerison, in a state of confusion and distress, administered the tablets to Cracker, hoping she would simply fall asleep peacefully. However, her condition worsened, and she started screaming. Margerison then carried her upstairs, covered her head with a duvet, and, in a moment of desperation, struck her with an axe. The dog was still moving after the first blow, prompting him to strike her a second time. The court described the scene as horrifying, with blood splatters on the walls and the dog lying in a pool of blood, breathing heavily and unconscious.

Emergency veterinary services were called immediately. The veterinarian arrived swiftly and found Cracker in a critical state, with a deep wound to the back of her head, in shock from blood loss, and near death. Despite efforts to save her, the veterinarian had no choice but to euthanise Cracker to end her suffering. The police were also called to the scene, where they found Margerison crying, his hands covered in blood, and a message written in blood on the wall of a room that read, “I killed Cracker.”

Throughout the court proceedings, it was revealed that Margerison had owned Cracker for eight years. His actions were driven by a misguided attempt to end her suffering, based on his mistaken belief that she had cancer. The court also heard that on the evening before the attack, Margerison had been drinking heavily and had taken cannabis, which may have impaired his judgment.

In his defense, Steven Scully, representing Margerison, stated that his client had owned the dog for several years and that the painkillers were given in an attempt to alleviate her chronic pain. However, the court found that his decision to euthanise Cracker in such a brutal manner was deeply unjustified and reckless.

Ultimately, Margerison was sentenced to 20 weeks in prison, with an additional £80 victim surcharge. He was also handed a five-year ban from owning animals, which expired in 2020. The case has left a lasting impact on the community of Shrewsbury, highlighting the importance of responsible pet ownership and the devastating consequences of animal cruelty.