CONVICTED (2019) | Carl Steven Athey, born 25 September 1991, of Dorset Close, Frome BA11 3HL – kicked and strangled a border collie to death Carl Athey was sentenced to 20 weeks in prison after he was convicted of animal cruelty for kicking and strangling a four-year-old border collie named Gracie to death. Gracie with Robyn Garman. Garman is standing by Athey despite his conviction for killing her dog Gracie belonged to Athey’s partner, Robyn Nicole Garman, who is standing by him. Athey, who owns two other dogs – Jack Russell terriers Ruby and Chloe – was convicted of two counts of physical harm to Gracie, which ultimately resulted in the dog’s death. Gracie died from multiple injuries following a series of attacks by Carl Athey The second of these counts left her so badly injured she was presented to vets in an unresponsive and comatose state and was ultimately put down. The vets then contacted the RSPCA to investigate. A post mortem examination showed a number of recent blunt force trauma injuries including three broken ribs, liver damage consistent with a kick, blunt force trauma to the head and signs of strangulation on the neck. According to the RSPCA, Athey denied responsibility for Gracie’s injuries, claiming on the first occasion that he had tripped while holding a shopping bag while failing to provide any explanation for her severe injuries on the second. He did admit to being the only person in the house at the time of Gracie’s injuries. RSPCA Inspector Miranda Albinson, who investigated for the charity, said: “This saddening case involved a defenceless dog who lost her life because of the series of serious injuries that had been caused by Athey. “The veterinary reports and the post mortem exposed the deliberate ill-treatment which tragically led to her death. “There is never an excuse for harming an animal or for failing to treat an animal with the kindness and respect they deserve.” Sentencing: 20 weeks in jail; total of £865 costs and charges; deprivation order for Ruby and Chloe. Banned from keeping animals for life. SomersetLive Additional information Several friends of Carl Athey have come to his defence today (19/10/2019) and to protest his innocence. It is suggested that Athey’s partner is in some way involved in Gracie’s death and that other animals in the household Robyn Garman shares with Athey and her seven-year-old son have come to harm. One or two have said that Gracie may even have been harmed by the child. Garman herself has this to say: We may never know the truth, but if the allegations about a child being to blame for Gracie’s death are true then that is extremely concerning and there absolutely must be intervention by social services.