CHRISTOPHER COLLYER'S HORRIFIC CRUELTY IN MORECAMBE AND KEIGHLEY REVEALED

In a disturbing case of animal cruelty, Christopher Dennis Collyer, born on September 12, 1983, and residing at Aldcliffe Court in Morecambe with the postal code LA4 4TW, was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a springer spaniel named Charlie. The tragic incident unfolded when Collyer deliberately hung Charlie by his lead from a pipe inside a stone bunker located in the woods of Keighley, West Yorkshire, leading to the dog’s slow and agonizing death by strangulation.

Prosecutor Nigel Monaghan, representing the RSPCA, detailed the case during the court proceedings. He explained that the veterinarian who examined Charlie after his death confirmed that the dog did not die instantly. Instead, Charlie was suffering from a chronic skin condition, which had been neglected. The veterinarian’s findings underscored the prolonged suffering endured by the animal, highlighting the cruelty of Collyer’s actions.

The court heard that Charlie was a gift from Collyer’s parents, Mandy and Ian Collyer, who resided in West Byland, Halifax. Mandy Collyer allegedly instructed her son to “get rid” of Charlie, which was interpreted as an indication of her awareness of the dog’s plight. The dog was discovered hanging in the concrete bunker in Hainsworth Woods, Keighley, by a member of the public on June 10, 2008. Prior to this, a witness had placed Collyer at the scene on June 7, suggesting his involvement in the events leading to Charlie’s death.

Mr. Monaghan condemned Collyer’s conduct as “appalling cruelty,” emphasizing that the act appeared to be premeditated. He criticized Collyer for maintaining a false story during the trial, claiming he had simply taken the dog for a walk and then given it to a woman he met, which was contradicted by evidence and witness testimony.

Further, the court acknowledged that Collyer’s parents, Mandy and Ian Collyer, were also responsible for neglecting Charlie’s health. They admitted to causing unnecessary suffering by failing to seek veterinary care for the dog’s skin condition, which had worsened over time.

Inspector Dave Holgate of the RSPCA, who responded to the scene, described the discovery as the worst case of animal cruelty he had encountered in his 15-year career. He recounted the horrific sight of Charlie hanging in the bunker, with his feet just touching the ground, indicating that the dog had suffered for a significant period before dying.

In sentencing, Christopher Collyer received a prison term of 24 weeks and was banned for life from owning or keeping animals. His parents, Mandy and Ian Collyer, were sentenced to community service and received a three-year ban from pet ownership, which expired in 2012. The case drew widespread condemnation, highlighting the severity of animal cruelty and the importance of animal welfare laws.