BEESTON SOLDIER ROBERT MCKIE KILLS PET CAT IN HORRIFIC BATH INCIDENT

Robert McKie, a soldier currently serving in the British Army and residing on Woodside Road in Chilwell, Beeston, was convicted in 2018 of a disturbing act involving his pet cat. The incident, which took place in Beeston, has drawn significant attention due to the nature of the cruelty involved.

According to court records, McKie claimed that his cat died accidentally after he left her tethered in a filled bath while he went out to collect his wife. The prosecution, led by Paul Wright, detailed that the cat had urinated and defecated within McKie’s home, and on the day before her death, she was confined in a dog crate for 24 hours. The circumstances surrounding her death came to light after McKie’s wife contacted the RSPCA, alleging that her husband had kept the cat in a cage and had killed her during a bath washing incident.

Further investigation revealed that the cat’s body was exhumed for examination. A post-mortem examination uncovered bruising in the abdominal area and noted that pressure applied to the right jugular vein had caused the cat’s eye to protrude, suggesting possible asphyxiation. The findings indicated a violent and distressing end for the animal.

During questioning by the RSPCA, McKie explained that he had placed the cat in the bath and used soap to wash her fur. He stated that he tethered her with a dog lead and left the bathroom to retrieve his wife. When they returned home, McKie claimed that the cat was hanging over the side of the bath, having apparently managed to get out of the water while still attached to the lead. This account was met with skepticism by the authorities.

McKie pleaded guilty to two charges: failing to provide a suitable environment for the cat on July 4, 2017, and causing unnecessary suffering the following day. In court, he expressed remorse, stating, “I am sorry for what happened to my cat. In hindsight, I wish I had put her back in the crate.” He explained that he believed everything was calm when he left her, and he did not see the situation as problematic at the time. McKie added that the cat was clingy during washing, which he attributed to her nature, and emphasized that his actions were not malicious. He also referenced a previous incident where a vet advised him to keep a cat with a leg fracture in a crate for three months, suggesting he was following what he believed to be proper care.

During the court proceedings, McKie revealed that he had served three years in the Army. He was accompanied by Sergeant Major Sean Ryan, who warned that McKie would face the loss of his military career and housing if he were to be imprisoned. The court was informed that a non-custodial sentence might not guarantee his retention in the Army, as that decision would be made by his commanding officers.

In sentencing, McKie was ordered to pay £300 in costs to the RSPCA and an additional government tax of £85. He was also banned from keeping any animals for five years, a ban that expired in January 2023. The case highlights the serious consequences of animal cruelty and the importance of responsible pet ownership, especially among individuals in positions of discipline and service.