CHANTELLE DUVALL GREGORY AND CHRISTY CARL-HEWITT ABUSE DOG IN GARESTON AND LIVERPOOL

In a disturbing case that has shocked the local community, a couple from Garston, Liverpool, has been found guilty of subjecting their two-year-old Belgian Shepherd, Snoop, to months of brutal abuse before ultimately causing his death. The tragic events unfolded over a period spanning from April 1 to December 22, 2021, at the couple's former residence on Winfield Road, Garston.

According to evidence presented in Liverpool Magistrates Court, the dog was subjected to relentless violence at the hands of Chantelle Duvall-Gregory, aged 20, and Christy Carl-Hewitt, aged 21. The court heard that Snoop was punched, kicked, and stamped upon repeatedly, with injuries so severe that they could not be dismissed as accidental. The prosecution, led by Pete Mitchell, detailed the extent of the injuries, revealing that Snoop had extensive bruising, fractured ribs, and broken canine teeth. The rib fractures, which had begun to heal, were estimated to be between six and eight weeks old, indicating the injuries had been inflicted over a prolonged period.

Mitchell explained that ribs serve as shock absorbers for the body, and breaking them requires significant force, underscoring the brutality of the abuse. Witnesses also reported that Duvall-Gregory, who is now a mother, once struck Snoop with a wooden spoon so forcefully that it broke. The court was told that the dog was also punched in the face, causing damage to his teeth, although it was not possible to determine which of the two offenders was responsible for each injury.

Further evidence revealed that Snoop died from hemorrhagic gastroenteritis after being fed non-dog food by Duvall-Gregory. The abuse was carried out in the couple’s former home, and the suitcase used to dispose of Snoop’s body was linked to Duvall-Gregory, as her name was found on it. The dog’s body was discovered by a dog walker near the Speke and Garston Nature Reserve on January 11 of the previous year.

Both Duvall-Gregory and Carl-Hewitt pleaded guilty on November 28, 2022, to four counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal. Duvall-Gregory admitted to kicking Snoop on the bottom and giving him a slap on the nose, though she minimized the severity of her actions. Carl-Hewitt claimed he would only give the dog a slap if it was urinating or defecating inside the house, but insisted it was not hard. The court heard that Snoop was not fed proper dog food, but only leftovers, and on the day he died, he was in such a state that he had lost control of his bowels, with black tar coming from his bottom.

In addition to causing blunt force trauma and physical violence, the pair admitted to neglecting the dog’s diet and failing to seek veterinary assistance when needed. They also pleaded guilty to breaching their responsibilities as caregivers for the animal. Judge James Hatton, presiding over the case, condemned the prolonged abuse, stating, “For a lengthy period of time, this dog has been beaten and abused.”

Addressing Duvall-Gregory directly, the judge remarked, “This is prolonged ill treatment and neglectful treatment of this animal and has resulted in its untimely death. It is abundantly clear that you beat that defenceless animal over a lengthy period of time.” The judge emphasized that injuries had been left untreated, causing additional suffering.

As part of the sentencing, Duvall-Gregory was sentenced to 22 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £128 along with £450 in prosecution costs. Carl-Hewitt, who was already under a community order for a different offence, was sentenced to 22 weeks imprisonment and was immediately remanded into custody. Both individuals received a ten-year ban from owning animals, with the right to appeal this disqualification only after five years.