WILLIAM STREETER OF COLERAINE SENTENCED FOR BRUTAL ANIMAL CRUELTY AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

William Streeter, a resident of Cloyfin Park in Coleraine, has been convicted of a heinous two-day attack that involved viciously beating and ultimately killing a young Golden Retriever puppy. The incident, which shocked the local community and animal welfare advocates alike, revealed a disturbing pattern of cruelty and violence that culminated in the tragic death of the innocent animal.

Streeter, born on June 28, 1979, and known locally as 'Dave,' had previously been banned from keeping animals, a restriction that expired in September 2018. His criminal record includes a conviction in July 2008 for seven counts of animal cruelty and one count of making threats to kill. Although he initially appealed his six-month prison sentence, he later abandoned the appeal, accepting the punishment handed down by the court.

The details of the attack are particularly disturbing. In October 2006, Streeter left a dog named Mac hanging by his collar, subjected him to physical abuse by kicking him with steel toe-capped boots, and struck him with a boulder. The violence escalated when Streeter threatened to kill his wife just two days after Mac’s death. The dog, Mac, died after Streeter cruelly placed a choke chain around his neck and hung him from a rafter in his garage, an act that inflicted severe injuries. Mac suffered extensive bruising and swelling on his back and head, along with two broken ribs. Medical examinations also revealed bleeding on his brain and lungs, indicating the brutality of the assault.

Following the incident, Streeter’s ex-wife, Alison McMonagle, spoke to reporters about the ordeal. She expressed her relief at the court’s decision and shared her emotional response to the case. McMonagle, who received support from Rainbow Rehoming Centre, described how Streeter’s demeanor changed after their marriage. She recounted that Streeter was particularly upset when his belongings were damaged, but the violence against Mac was far more severe.

McMonagle detailed how the violence was triggered by a dispute over money. She explained that Streeter began physically assaulting Mac, throwing a boulder at him, and eventually placing him in a kennel with a hose, threatening to drown him. She described how Streeter took Mac into the garage, tied him to the ceiling with a choke chain, and later returned to the house laughing and making cruel remarks about the dog’s suffering. The following day, Streeter hung Mac again in the garage, and he kept McMonagle informed of the dog's torment. She recounted how Streeter admitted to kicking Mac in the head and later told her that Mac was dead, though she initially doubted him. When she finally saw Mac’s lifeless body in the garage, she recognized the signs of a terrible and painful death.

Throughout the two-day ordeal, McMonagle made several attempts to intervene and help Mac, but Streeter prevented her from doing so. She recounted her fear when Streeter confined Mac in the kennel and warned her not to approach him, revealing her terror of his violent tendencies. McMonagle also disclosed that Streeter had made disturbing threats about making a person disappear and feeding the body to pigs, highlighting his dangerous and unstable nature.

In her statement, McMonagle expressed her hope that speaking out would help combat domestic abuse and animal cruelty. Her courage in sharing her story aims to raise awareness and prevent others from suffering similar experiences.

Streeter was sentenced to six months in jail and received a ten-year ban on keeping animals. However, this ban expired in September 2018. The case has garnered significant media attention, emphasizing the importance of addressing both animal cruelty and domestic violence within the community of Coleraine and beyond.