SIMON JOHANSON SENTENCED IN WIRRAL FOR EXECUTION OF FRENCH BULLDOG ATHENA

Simon Anthony Johanson, also known as Simon Johanson-Griffiths, born on 28 November 1991, of Warkworth Court, Ellesmere Port, was convicted in 2025 for the brutal killing of his French bulldog, Athena. Previously residing on Sutton Way, Great Sutton, Johanson walked free from court with a suspended prison sentence after being found responsible for her death.

Witnesses testified during the trial that they had seen Johanson physically abusing the dog, who was terrified during the incidents. The police arrived at his address at 11pm on May 31, 2024, following reports of unusual noises—including banging, yelling, and a dog yelping—from the flat.

Upon arrival, Johanson answered the door and claimed he had just returned from the pub. He told officers that Athena had died after choking on her own vomit and that he had already cleaned up and flushed her remains. He later explained that the dog appeared fine when he got home but soon started making heaving sounds, with a visible ‘bulge’ in her throat. Johanson reportedly attempted to open her mouth and sat with her on the bathroom floor, panicking and pounding her back multiple times to dislodge anything in her throat or induce vomiting.

Johanson described feeling her tongue swelling and stated that she went limp, at which point he knew she had died. Magistrates heard that Athena also had a graze on her head, which Johanson attributed to fleas, along with other injuries. An investigation by the RSPCA contradicted his account, revealing that Athena had suffered a hemorrhage to her head consistent with blunt force trauma.

A veterinarian, who reviewed the post-mortem report, provided written evidence stating: “It is likely that just prior to her death, Athena had sustained the trauma to her head in circumstances which caused her distress, and possibly the rapid development of non-cardiogenic oedema, resulting in her respiratory failure and death. In a healthy animal, such oedema would not typically cause death, but in a French Bulldog with breathing problems, it could be fatal.

“The history of vomiting and choking reported by Johanson does not align with the post-mortem findings. Bruising on her head was not consistent with being pounded on her back multiple times, and there were no other injuries that could explain her condition. It is my expert opinion that Athena was subjected to physical abuse multiple times.”

The magistrates described the case as ‘very unpleasant’ and noted that Johanson’s actions caused a ‘high level of suffering’ to Athena, emphasizing the ‘prolonged’ abusive behavior witnessed by several individuals.

In mitigation, the court acknowledged Johanson’s mental health struggles, including a diagnosed personality disorder. Inspector Leanne Cooper of the RSPCA expressed gratitude to witnesses and police: “We’re very grateful to the witnesses and the police who helped us with this very upsetting case and ensured that Athena’s owner could be held to account for his abusive behavior.”

Another dog, relinquished by Johanson, has been rehomed through the RSPCA’s Southport, Ormskirk & District Branch and is currently thriving.

The court sentenced Johanson to a ten-month custodial sentence, suspended for two years, along with requiring him to participate in rehabilitation activities. Additionally, he received a lifetime ban from owning animals.

This case was reported by Chester Standard and Wirral Globe.