In October 2016, Michael Heathcock drove a nail through the head of his living 16 year old dog. Richard Finch assisted him with the act and they buried the dog alive in Kirkleatham Woods in Redcar. The dog was later discovered by horrified dog walkers and the police were informed. The animal was later 'put to sleep' by the RSPCA to stop immense suffering. Richard and Michael admitted guilt. Their defence was appalling, 'the dog was deaf, blind and incontinent and Michael's house had started to smell'. The pair could have very easily dropped the dog off outside a local kennel or done the decent thing and ensured the pet received the appropriate veterinary care. These men have now been sentenced and have thankfully been given lifetime animal bans, but other convicted abusers are often for months or years, which gives them the ability to own another animal in their lifetime.
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