HORVATH AND FARKAS OF BIRKENHEAD CONVICTED FOR BRUTAL DOG KILLING IN LIVERPOOL
| Red Rose Database
Birkenhead Animal Abuser
On April 5, 2019, a disturbing case of animal cruelty unfolded in Birkenhead, involving residents Norbert Farkas and Leila Katalin Horvath, both of whom lived on Kingsland Road. The incident centered around the tragic death of Luna, an American bulldog who was subjected to unimaginable suffering by her owners.
RSPCA inspector Anthony Joynes was called to an alleyway off Parkside Road in Birkenhead after environmental health officers reported a gruesome discovery. Upon arrival, Inspector Joynes found Luna’s lifeless body wrapped in bin bags and placed inside a paddling pool. The dog had recently given birth to 12 puppies, all of whom were suffering from respiratory issues but eventually recovered and were rehomed. The inspector observed that Luna’s body was infested with live maggots, indicating the extent of neglect and cruelty she endured.
The investigation led Inspector Joynes to question Norbert Farkas, whose residence overlooked the alley. Initially, Farkas denied ownership of Luna but later admitted that she was his dog. He claimed that Luna had attacked him, prompting him to hit her with a metal bar in what he described as self-defense and to protect his partner, Leila Horvath. When questioned further, Horvath confessed that she had poisoned Luna by feeding her sausages laced with anti-freeze and then stabbed her to death.
Both Farkas and Horvath pleaded guilty to multiple charges. Farkas admitted to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal on two counts, while Horvath pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering, poisoning, and failing to ensure Luna received proper medical care. Prosecutor Chris Murphy detailed the horrific sequence of events, revealing that Farkas struck Luna with a weights bar, and Horvath, after researching how to kill a dog online, fed her chicken and sausages contaminated with anti-freeze. Despite her expectations that the poison would kill Luna quickly, the dog lingered in the alleyway, suffering for three days before Horvath took a large kitchen knife and stabbed her in the throat.
District Judge Nicholas Sanders described the case as one of “unimaginable cruelty,” emphasizing the brutality involved. During interviews with probation officers, Horvath explained that Luna’s behavior changed after giving birth, which led her to purchase anti-freeze from a nearby garage and feed it to the dog. She believed the dog would die swiftly but was mistaken. She recounted that Luna was making strange noises, which made her fear that neighbors might call the police, prompting her to end Luna’s suffering herself. Horvath also expressed remorse, stating that the community’s revulsion forced them to move to a new address.
Farkas claimed that he had been advised by health professionals to acquire a large dog to help with his mental health issues and stress. He also alleged that Luna became aggressive after giving birth, which he claimed led to her attacking him, causing him to suffer a panic attack. Farkas stated that his partner decided to kill Luna following this attack. Defense lawyer Thomas Hanlon noted that both Horvath and Farkas had arrived in the UK from Hungary in 2010, had worked full-time, and contributed to society. He also highlighted that the couple had been targeted after their animals were seized by the RSPCA, including an incident where a petrol bomb was thrown at their home, forcing them to leave in the middle of the night.
Veterinary reports indicated that if Luna had attacked Farkas as he claimed, she would have sustained serious injuries, which was not the case. The court was told that the couple’s actions—striking Luna with a metal bar, poisoning her with anti-freeze, and stabbing her—represented a level of cruelty that was hard to comprehend. Judge Sanders sentenced the pair to 10 weeks in jail and imposed a lifetime ban on keeping animals, with a minimum of 10 years before they could own pets again.
Following the case, RSPCA inspector Joynes described the horrific suffering Luna endured. He explained that Farkas admitted to striking Luna multiple times with a weightlifting bar, while Horvath acknowledged feeding her anti-freeze in sausages and watching her slowly die over several days. The inspector emphasized that Luna’s suffering was unnecessary and cruel, noting that she could have been humanely euthanized by a vet but was instead left to endure a prolonged and painful death in her own yard.
Police seized a male American bulldog and 12 puppies from the couple’s address during the investigation. The puppies, suffering from respiratory illnesses, have all been rehomed, and the male dog remains in RSPCA care, awaiting new homes. The case has drawn widespread condemnation, highlighting the severity of animal cruelty and the importance of animal welfare laws in the UK.
RSPCA inspector Anthony Joynes was called to an alleyway off Parkside Road in Birkenhead after environmental health officers reported a gruesome discovery. Upon arrival, Inspector Joynes found Luna’s lifeless body wrapped in bin bags and placed inside a paddling pool. The dog had recently given birth to 12 puppies, all of whom were suffering from respiratory issues but eventually recovered and were rehomed. The inspector observed that Luna’s body was infested with live maggots, indicating the extent of neglect and cruelty she endured.
The investigation led Inspector Joynes to question Norbert Farkas, whose residence overlooked the alley. Initially, Farkas denied ownership of Luna but later admitted that she was his dog. He claimed that Luna had attacked him, prompting him to hit her with a metal bar in what he described as self-defense and to protect his partner, Leila Horvath. When questioned further, Horvath confessed that she had poisoned Luna by feeding her sausages laced with anti-freeze and then stabbed her to death.
Both Farkas and Horvath pleaded guilty to multiple charges. Farkas admitted to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal on two counts, while Horvath pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering, poisoning, and failing to ensure Luna received proper medical care. Prosecutor Chris Murphy detailed the horrific sequence of events, revealing that Farkas struck Luna with a weights bar, and Horvath, after researching how to kill a dog online, fed her chicken and sausages contaminated with anti-freeze. Despite her expectations that the poison would kill Luna quickly, the dog lingered in the alleyway, suffering for three days before Horvath took a large kitchen knife and stabbed her in the throat.
District Judge Nicholas Sanders described the case as one of “unimaginable cruelty,” emphasizing the brutality involved. During interviews with probation officers, Horvath explained that Luna’s behavior changed after giving birth, which led her to purchase anti-freeze from a nearby garage and feed it to the dog. She believed the dog would die swiftly but was mistaken. She recounted that Luna was making strange noises, which made her fear that neighbors might call the police, prompting her to end Luna’s suffering herself. Horvath also expressed remorse, stating that the community’s revulsion forced them to move to a new address.
Farkas claimed that he had been advised by health professionals to acquire a large dog to help with his mental health issues and stress. He also alleged that Luna became aggressive after giving birth, which he claimed led to her attacking him, causing him to suffer a panic attack. Farkas stated that his partner decided to kill Luna following this attack. Defense lawyer Thomas Hanlon noted that both Horvath and Farkas had arrived in the UK from Hungary in 2010, had worked full-time, and contributed to society. He also highlighted that the couple had been targeted after their animals were seized by the RSPCA, including an incident where a petrol bomb was thrown at their home, forcing them to leave in the middle of the night.
Veterinary reports indicated that if Luna had attacked Farkas as he claimed, she would have sustained serious injuries, which was not the case. The court was told that the couple’s actions—striking Luna with a metal bar, poisoning her with anti-freeze, and stabbing her—represented a level of cruelty that was hard to comprehend. Judge Sanders sentenced the pair to 10 weeks in jail and imposed a lifetime ban on keeping animals, with a minimum of 10 years before they could own pets again.
Following the case, RSPCA inspector Joynes described the horrific suffering Luna endured. He explained that Farkas admitted to striking Luna multiple times with a weightlifting bar, while Horvath acknowledged feeding her anti-freeze in sausages and watching her slowly die over several days. The inspector emphasized that Luna’s suffering was unnecessary and cruel, noting that she could have been humanely euthanized by a vet but was instead left to endure a prolonged and painful death in her own yard.
Police seized a male American bulldog and 12 puppies from the couple’s address during the investigation. The puppies, suffering from respiratory illnesses, have all been rehomed, and the male dog remains in RSPCA care, awaiting new homes. The case has drawn widespread condemnation, highlighting the severity of animal cruelty and the importance of animal welfare laws in the UK.