ALAN POWNALL OF WALLASEY SENTENCED FOR CRUELTY TO PUPPY IN SHOCKING CASE

Alan Pownall, born on November 20, 1957, and residing at Reay Court, 86 Borough Road, Wallasey CH44 6NQ, has been convicted of a heinous act of animal cruelty involving a young puppy named Halo. The incident, which shocked the local community and animal welfare advocates alike, culminated in Pownall kicking the defenseless puppy to death and subsequently discarding her body in a pile of rubbish within an alleyway.

Initially, Pownall attempted to justify the tragic death of Halo by claiming that the puppy had become entangled and hanged herself on her collar during an apparent accident. He insisted that he had no memory of physically harming the animal and was taken aback by the severity of her injuries. Despite his claims, the evidence presented in court painted a far more disturbing picture.

Scheduled to face trial in October 2017, Pownall ultimately admitted to causing unnecessary suffering to the animal, a plea that led to his conviction. Prosecutor Chris Murphy, representing the RSPCA, detailed the findings from the investigation. Murphy stated, “When interviewed, he confirmed the dog’s name was Halo and she had hung herself on a collar while attempting to break out from a training crate. He said he felt guilty he hadn’t heard the dog crying and had left the body in the alleyway because of financial difficulties.”

Murphy further explained that there was no evidence of blood or saliva on the cage, and scant signs of strangulation around Halo’s neck, which cast doubt on Pownall’s initial explanation. The puppy’s lifeless body was discovered atop a children’s paddling pool and amidst rubbish in the alleyway, a grim scene that underscored the brutality of the act.

Post-mortem examinations revealed that Halo had suffered severe internal injuries, including significant damage to her liver caused by multiple blunt force impacts consistent with being kicked. The investigation also uncovered that Pownall, who was caring for the puppy on behalf of his daughter Michelle, had been drinking brandy at the time of the incident.

During sentencing, magistrates acknowledged the seriousness of the crime. They noted that Pownall would have faced the maximum penalty of six months in jail, but his sentence was reduced to 23 weeks due to his guilty plea. Pownall, dressed in combat trousers, showed no emotion as he bowed his head and was led away by security officers. In addition to his jail time, he was banned from keeping animals for life, a measure aimed at preventing any future cruelty.

This case has once again highlighted the importance of animal welfare and the need for strict penalties against those who commit such acts of cruelty in Wallasey and beyond.