SUNDERLAND MAN DANIEL GAIR SENTENCED FOR BRUTAL DOG ABUSE IN YORKSHIRE

Daniel Calvin Gair, born on September 2, 1997, and residing at 177 Hastings Street, Sunderland SR2 8SJ, was convicted in 2021 of causing unnecessary suffering to a dog, specifically a Yorkshire Terrier named Billy. The case was brought to court by the RSPCA, which presented compelling evidence of the cruelty inflicted upon the small dog.

According to court proceedings, Billy was discovered dead by Gair’s then-partner in October 2019. The dog was found lying beside her bed when she woke up in the morning. Distressed by the sight, she wrapped Billy in a blanket, placed him carefully in a box, and took him to a nearby veterinary clinic. The vets, upon examining Billy, noticed injuries that raised suspicions of abuse and promptly reported their concerns to the RSPCA.

Gair maintained that he had not harmed Billy. He claimed that he had found the dog with diarrhea on his fur earlier that morning, and in an effort to help, he washed Billy in the shower and dried him with a towel before returning him to the bedroom. Gair also stated that he left for work shortly afterward. However, his account was contradicted by the condition of Billy when his partner found him. The dog’s coat was dry and appeared to have no dampness or moisture, which was inconsistent with Gair’s explanation of a recent shower.

Post-mortem examinations revealed a series of severe injuries that indicated significant trauma. Billy had suffered collapsed lungs, damage to his heart, six fractured ribs, a protruding left eye, and bruises on the underside of his neck, chest, and head. An expert veterinary witness, experienced in cases of non-accidental injuries, testified that all of Billy’s injuries were recent and consistent with blunt force trauma inflicted shortly before his death.

The veterinary expert explained that the severity of the injuries, including the fractured ribs and bruising, pointed to deliberate abuse. The injuries were consistent with forceful impacts such as being struck, kicked, stomped, or thrown against a blunt object. The witness emphasized that these injuries could not be explained by accidental trauma within the home environment and suggested at least four separate applications of force, affecting different parts of Billy’s body, including the chest, head, and pelvis.

Further, the court found that Gair’s version of events was inconsistent with the veterinary evidence. The judge stated that there was no mitigation for his actions and that the severity of the offense was such that it crossed the threshold for custody. The case was regarded as particularly serious due to the small size and vulnerability of the dog.

RSPCA Inspector Cathy Maddison, who led the investigation, expressed her distress over the case. She described the injuries inflicted on such a tiny dog as “awful and inexcusable,” highlighting the emotional toll of the investigation.

In sentencing, Gair was ordered to serve 18 weeks in jail. He was also required to pay costs amounting to £650. Additionally, he received a lifetime ban on owning animals, although he has the right to appeal this restriction after ten years. The case drew significant attention from local media outlets, including the Sunderland Echo and Chronicle Live, underscoring the community’s concern over animal cruelty and the importance of justice for vulnerable pets.