A farmer who dragged a dog behind a car by a rope and hid her battered body from police officers who desperately searched for her could be jailed.
Local residents tried to stop Kim Rendall, 65, as he drove his red Nissan Micra around villages south-west of Bath with a white husky attached to the boot by a rope.
Horrified witnesses sounded their horns and flashed their lights in a bid to flag down the defendant, but he only stopped when a dog walker waved him down.
He removed the dog – named Daisy – from the road as she haemorrhaged blood, putting her into his boot and driving away from the scene.
North Somerset Magistrates’ Court heard how Rendall left his home in Southover Road, High Littleton, on the afternoon of 17 April this year, and drove for approximately 200 metres.
Police were called to the incident and immediately started searching for the defendant and his dog. He was located at his mother’s house, where he was having a haircut and drinking tea.
However, he refused to tell the police where Daisy was and 18 officers supported by a drone unit were sent to hunt for the pet, concerned she would die if she did not receive urgent care.
Rendall, who was wearing blood-soaked trainers, was arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty – and despite being detained still refused to provide her whereabouts.
Daisy was located in a barn with cows about two and a half hours later and was rushed to a vet in a police vehicle travelling on blue lights and sirens.
She was found to have sustained complicated and traumatic injuries – including both hind legs suffering full-thickness skin loss and an open fracture of a foot. She was put to sleep nine days later.
Lindi Meyer, prosecuting, said the incident has “clearly has had a lasting affect on people” – with PC Natalie Cosgrove describing Daisy’s injuries as “the worst thing I have ever seen”.
“I felt shocked, I couldn’t sleep and I cried… I hugged my own dog crying in sympathy for Daisy”, she told the court in a victim person statement.
She added that the dog’s suffering was “something that cannot be described” and said she was “traumatised” when Rendall smirked in his police interview.
“I just felt incredibly sorry for her, that a human let her down so badly.
“This is one of those jobs that will haunt me forever.”
Ms Meyer told the magistrates that Rendall’s refusal to provide Daisy’s whereabouts was “sadistic” and only prolonged her suffering.
“He prioritised a haircut and a cup of tea over her medical attention”, she added.
At a previous hearing, Rendall pleaded guilty to two counts of causing the unnecessary suffering of an animal contrary to the Animal Welfare Act.
Suggesting the starting point was two years in prison for his crimes, the magistrates agreed that their powers were likely to be insufficient, and Rendall Bristol Crown Court for sentencing.
He was released on unconditional bail to appear on 21 November.
