TERRY THURLING'S HORRIFIC DOG ABUSE IN STIRLING: A BRUTAL ATTACK LEADS TO EUTHANASIA AND 19-MONTH JAIL SENTENCE

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Stirling, Terry Thurling, a known career criminal and drug addict, was convicted of inflicting severe injuries on his rescue dog, Gryphon, a Romanian Shepherd. The incident took place at Thurling’s residence on Cornhill Crescent, St Ninians, Stirling, and resulted in the tragic death of the animal.

Thurling, who has strong ties to Kent and Essex in South-East England, was found to have battered Gryphon repeatedly with a makeshift weapon, specifically a golf club. The attack was so brutal that it caused a fracture to the dog’s skull, with the assault continuing for at least six strikes. The incident was reportedly triggered by Thurling’s inability to manage Gryphon’s challenging behavior, which he found difficult to handle.

According to reports presented at Stirling Sheriff Court, on April 24, 2024, a neighbor who could observe into Thurling’s flat witnessed a distressing scene. The neighbor saw Gryphon running frantically from room to room while Thurling was striking him with an object. The neighbor also heard Gryphon crying out in pain for approximately 20 minutes, raising alarm and concern.

At around the same time, a nurse working at a nearby medical practice contacted the SSPCA and local council dog wardens after hearing the dog in distress. The authorities responded swiftly, and Stirling Council received a call from Thurling himself, who expressed a desire to have Gryphon euthanized, claiming that the dog had bitten him.

When the dog wardens arrived at the scene, Thurling admitted to hitting Gryphon with a golf club. They observed the weapon, which was found to be buckled and bent out of shape, lying in the hallway. Gryphon was found covered in blood, with injuries that included a swollen head, blood on his head and muzzle, and lumps on his back. Despite these injuries, Gryphon was described as “quiet” and showed no signs of aggression.

Gryphon was taken to Broadleys Veterinary Hospital in Stirling for urgent treatment. During the examination, a Scottish SPCA inspector described the dog as “calm and docile,” noting that he was “quiet but responsive” and did not display any aggression during handling. The inspector detailed the extent of Gryphon’s injuries, stating that the dog had a swollen head and eyes, with blood covering his skull, nose, and muzzle. There was also extensive swelling over the top of his skull, indicating the force used in the attack.

The veterinarian concluded that Gryphon had been struck at least six times with enough force to fracture his skull, causing unnecessary suffering. Additionally, a lesion consistent with a cigarette burn was found on Gryphon’s back, although this was not part of the charges against Thurling. Due to the severity of his injuries and his welfare, Gryphon was euthanized.

Thurling, who was unemployed at the time and had been furloughed during the COVID-19 pandemic, pleaded guilty to causing Gryphon unnecessary suffering. His criminal record also includes charges unrelated to the dog incident, such as resisting police, assaulting a retail worker, and breaching the peace at a hospital.

During the court proceedings, solicitor Fraser McCready stated that Thurling had owned Gryphon for only ten months and admitted that he was not the dog’s original owner. McCready explained that Gryphon’s challenging behavior was beyond Thurling’s capacity to manage, and that after being bitten, Thurling resorted to violence with a golf club.

Despite acknowledging Thurling’s mental health difficulties and his lack of employment, the sheriff handed down a custodial sentence of 19 months in prison. Thurling was also banned from owning or keeping a dog for a period of 15 years. The Scottish SPCA inspector expressed satisfaction with the sentence but emphasized that a lifetime ban would have been preferable, citing the extensive physical and mental suffering Gryphon endured at Thurling’s hands.

This case highlights the importance of animal welfare and the consequences of cruelty. Gryphon’s tragic death serves as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance and accountability in cases of animal abuse, especially involving individuals with a history of criminal behavior and mental health issues.