BRUTAL CRIME BY EVERALD JAMES IN BROMLEY: DOG STRANGLED AND HUNG OUTSIDE HIS HOME

Everald Hugh James, born on August 3, 1967, and previously residing in Mottingham, South London, more recently lived at Lewis King House on Plaistow Lane in Bromley, BR1 3TE. On a tragic evening in September 2015, James was involved in a horrifying incident that led to the death of a three-year-old bull mastiff named Boyzee. The incident took place outside his residence in Bromley, where James was found guilty of the cruel act of strangling the dog and hanging him with a rope, as the terrified animal gasped for air.

James, who is also known by the nickname ‘Shadow,’ denied the charges at first, claiming that Boyzee’s death was accidental during a tug of war. However, the evidence presented in court painted a starkly different picture. A neighbor, Harlon Horsford, testified that he heard shouting around 8 pm on September 6, 2015. When he looked outside, he saw James with Boyzee, with a rope wrapped tightly around the dog’s neck. Horsford described witnessing James repeatedly hitting Boyzee in the face and throat with his left hand while the rope was secured around a metal railing, with one end strangling the dog and the other end being pulled by James’ right hand.

Horsford recounted confronting James, demanding he let go of the dog, but James refused. During the confrontation, Horsford said he punched James in the face, causing him to fall back, which allowed Boyzee to drop to the ground. Horsford then quickly removed the rope from Boyzee’s neck, noting that the dog was struggling to breathe and was gasping for air. He described trying to assist Boyzee by pushing his tongue to the side and attempting to breathe life into him, as the dog’s back legs twitched in his final moments before passing away. Horsford described Boyzee as a loving and gentle dog, emphasizing the tragedy of his death.

Throughout the court proceedings, Horsford was visibly emotional, breaking down in tears as he recounted the events. He explained that during the attack, Boyzee’s legs were unable to reach the ground, and he was desperately scrabbling to find footing. James was arrested later that day. Initially, he claimed that he was simply taking Boyzee outside to do his business and that he dragged the dog through a crowd, unintentionally strangling him. However, during his testimony, James changed his account, asserting that the incident was a result of a tug of war between himself and Horsford, which accidentally led to Boyzee’s death.

James admitted to having been drinking that day. He explained that when Horsford grabbed the lead, he told him to let go, but Horsford insisted he wanted the dog. James said he kept pulling the dog without looking back and only realized what had happened when he turned around and saw Boyzee on the ground. He expressed remorse, stating, “I could never harm my dog, it’s what keeps me alive. I’ve got a 15-year-old daughter I can’t see, I bought the dog to keep me company.”

In delivering the verdict, the magistrates dismissed James’ testimony as “not credible.” He was sentenced to 18 weeks in jail and received an indefinite ban on keeping animals, reflecting the severity of his actions. The case drew significant attention in Bromley and highlighted ongoing concerns about animal cruelty in the area.