NICHOLAS LAINTON SHOCKS STAFFORD WITH CRUELTY TO ELDERLY DOG IN BUCKET OF WATER

Nicholas Lainton, a resident of Stafford, was sentenced to prison after being found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a dog. The incident took place during the New Year’s period, when Lainton was staying at the home of his partner, Christine Fitzhugh, in Stafford. As of July 2020, the couple was still together, according to reports.

The court heard that on the morning after New Year’s Eve, Miss Fitzhugh noticed her 21-year-old collie, Lucy, was missing from her usual spot in the hallway. Concerned, she went upstairs to inquire about her dog’s whereabouts, finding Lainton still in bed. It was then that Lainton shockingly revealed to her that he had drowned Lucy in a bucket of water. His words, as reported in court, were: “I do not know how to tell you this, but I drowned her in a bucket of water.”

Following this tragic act, Lainton wrapped Lucy in a blanket and buried her in the garden of the property. Miss Fitzhugh was left devastated, described as “upset, angry and speechless” by witnesses. She subsequently contacted the police and the RSPCA after discovering Lucy’s lifeless body and reporting her concerns to a third party.

When authorities arrived at the scene, they found a bucket filled with approximately three inches of water, placed next to a significant amount of dog hair. The police also observed the garden where Lucy was buried. Miss Fitzhugh acknowledged that Lucy was an elderly dog but believed she was still “happy” despite her age.

During the court proceedings, Lainton’s defense lawyer, Ian Hodnett, argued that Lainton’s actions were motivated by a desire to put the dog out of her misery. Mr. Hodnett emphasized that Lucy was 21 years old, which is considered a remarkable age for a dog, and that Lainton had drowned her after noticing her poor condition, including breathlessness and frequent falls. The lawyer admitted that Lainton’s decision was wrong, stating, “He chose a decision which he admits he shouldn’t have done.”

It was also revealed that Miss Fitzhugh had spoken to police the following day, admitting that she had been contemplating euthanizing Lucy herself in the coming weeks. The court ultimately sentenced Lainton to 16 weeks in jail and imposed a ten-year ban on him keeping animals, a restriction that expired in August 2021. The case drew significant attention from local media, highlighting the severity of animal cruelty and the importance of responsible pet ownership in Stafford.