DONOVAN ROWLAND'S HORRIFIC CRIME IN CHESTERFIELD: DOG SHOT WITH CROSSBOW

In a disturbing incident that shocked the community of Chesterfield, Donovan Spencer Rowland, born on July 17, 1994, and residing at 19 Chester House, Chester Street, was found guilty of a brutal act of animal cruelty involving his pet Akita dog.

According to court proceedings, Rowland deliberately inflicted severe injuries on his dog by shooting her in the head with a crossbow bolt. The incident took place on August 13, 2017, and the aftermath was as gruesome as it was heartbreaking. The court heard that Rowland contacted a local Pets at Home store, confessing that he had shot his dog with a crossbow at his residence. He reportedly told the staff that the injury was in his head and that he had called the police.

When police arrived at Rowland’s address, they discovered the dog with a crossbow bolt embedded in her forehead. The bolt was described as being approximately one foot long, with its tip lodged deep within the dog’s skull. The police officer who attended the scene observed the extent of the injury and noted that the dog was suffering immensely, with her condition so severe that any attempt to save her would have been prohibitively expensive. As a result, the dog was euthanized to end her suffering.

Rowland’s actions drew significant attention, especially considering his prior record. Despite the severity of his cruelty, he was only subjected to a three-year ban from keeping animals, which expired in October 2020. The court was informed that Rowland is a member of Chester Street Gym in Chesterfield, and he pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal by shooting his Japanese Akita dog between the eyes with a crossbow.

During the hearing, defense solicitor James Riley highlighted that Rowland was experiencing mental health difficulties at the time of the incident. Riley explained that Rowland was visibly upset and crying when he contacted Pets at Home, claiming he did not understand why he had committed such an act. The lawyer suggested that Rowland had suffered some form of mental breakdown, which contributed to his lapse in judgment. He emphasized that the dog was a cherished pet and that this case was not typical of animal cruelty, but rather a tragic consequence of a momentary mental health crisis.

Riley also mentioned that the injury to the dog was not necessarily irreparable, but due to financial constraints, the animal could not be saved. The court was told that the injury was so severe that euthanasia was the only humane option.

In sentencing, Rowland received a 12-week custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months, along with a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement. He was ordered to pay £200 in costs and charges. The court also imposed a three-year ban on keeping animals, which had already expired in October 2020. This case underscores the tragic consequences of animal cruelty and highlights the importance of mental health support for individuals in distress.