WAYNE WAITHE FROM BRACONDALE SENTENCED FOR CRUELTY IN NORWICH

Wayne Waithe, a resident of Bracondale, Norwich, was convicted of a disturbing act of animal cruelty that shocked the local community and drew the attention of animal welfare authorities. Born on December 14, 1957, Waithe was found guilty of drowning his own Staffordshire bull terrier, Missy, in a river near Hellesdon Bridge on May 9, 2017.

According to reports, Missy was discovered by a member of the public floating lifeless in the water, with her legs tightly wrapped in a navy rucksack. Her body was also covered with a dark green jacket, leaving her head exposed. The scene was both tragic and disturbing, prompting immediate investigation by the RSPCA and local authorities.

Prosecutor Paul Croker, representing the RSPCA, explained that a veterinary post-mortem examination confirmed the dog had drowned. He stated, “It was alive and breathing when put in the river. As it was bound up, it was unable to swim to safety.” The examination also revealed that Missy, estimated to be between five and seven years old, had several health issues, including multiple tumors on her body, with a large benign tumor on her abdomen. Additionally, she suffered from overgrown claws and other medical conditions, indicating she was in poor health.

Investigations led authorities to interview Wayne Waithe, who initially admitted to owning a dog but claimed she had already died. However, when questioned further, Waithe refused to cooperate, becoming aggressive and demanding that officers leave his property. His behavior and the circumstances of the case prompted the RSPCA to seek a serious penalty, including a ban on him keeping animals in the future, citing concerns about his suitability as a pet owner.

During the court proceedings, Waithe admitted to causing unnecessary suffering by drowning Missy. He claimed that he believed the dog was already dead when he placed her in the river, a statement that was rejected by the magistrates. The chairman of the bench, Jim Agnew, remarked, “We think you deliberately drowned the dog because you did not want to pay for it to be put down.”

Defense lawyer Andrew Cogan, representing Waithe from Kings Lynn solicitors CCW, argued that his client believed the dog had died peacefully in its sleep, citing her health issues as the reason for his assumption. Cogan stated, “She was not in the best of health. There were a number of hernias. He thought the dog had died peacefully in its sleep. He thought the dog was dead. He did not deliberately intend to cause suffering.”

Ultimately, the court sentenced Waithe to a six-week jail term, suspended for 12 months. He was also ordered to pay a total of £408 in fines and costs. Additionally, he received a ten-year ban on keeping any animals, a measure aimed at preventing future incidents of cruelty and ensuring the welfare of animals in the community.