SEAN MCGINNES FROM WISHAW STRANGLES PET ROTTWEILER AND DUMPS BODY IN BIN

Sean Paul McGinnes, born on May 4, 1984, and residing at Faskally Walk, Newmains, Wishaw ML2 9LD, has been found guilty of a heinous act involving his sister's pet dog. The court convicted him of causing unnecessary suffering to the three-year-old Rottweiler, named Tyson, and asphyxiating the animal through an unknown method, leading to Tyson's death.

The incident unfolded during a dispute within the McGinnes family. According to court proceedings, McGinnes and his sister, AnneMarie McGinnes, were at her residence in Newmains, Lanarkshire, when a minor argument erupted concerning Tyson. The disagreement escalated, and McGinnes left the house in a state of agitation. Later, Tyson was discovered abandoned in a wheelie bin, with a jumper tied around his collar, indicating a tragic end to the dog’s life.

Police were promptly called to the scene, and McGinnes was arrested in connection with the animal’s death. He was subsequently brought to trial at Hamilton Sheriff Court, where he maintained his innocence, claiming he had no involvement in Tyson’s demise. Despite his denials, Sheriff Linda Nicolson convicted him of the charges, warning that he faces imprisonment for the brutal incident that occurred in January 2018.

AnneMarie McGinnes, visibly distressed, spoke out about her trauma and expressed her desire for her brother to be incarcerated. She recounted the events, stating, “Sean and I had a daft argument after he took Tyson without permission. He brought him back to my back door in a bin already passed away with his jumper tied around Tyson’s collar.” She described her emotional turmoil, saying, “I was distraught and still am. I can’t bear to think what poor Tyson endured at that monster’s hands.”

She further expressed her disillusionment with her brother, saying, “I really don’t know who he is anymore, even if I did at all. I wouldn’t give him the time of day again because of the evil crime he has committed.” Miss McGinnes also shared her experience during the court proceedings, describing them as “horrible, distressing, and sad,” but emphasized her need for justice for Tyson. She criticized Scottish animal cruelty laws, asserting, “Anyone who harms pets or animals should all receive jail because I think Scottish law is far too light on people who are cruel to animals.”

In the aftermath of the tragedy, Miss McGinnes has been caring for another dog named Marley, which has helped her cope with her grief. However, she made it clear that no other dog could replace Tyson, whom she loved dearly.

As a result of his conviction, Sean McGinnes was sentenced to a total of 23 months in prison—15 months for killing Tyson and an additional eight months for threatening his former partner. The sentences are to run consecutively. Furthermore, he has been banned from owning or keeping any animals for the rest of his life, reflecting the severity of his actions and the court’s stance on animal cruelty.