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Dog held hostage and starved
23/ 4/2008
A MAN who held a dog hostage and almost starved it to death has narrowly escaped going to jail.
Mark Larrigan agreed to look after Tyson — a male boxer dog — when his owner moved house and could no longer keep him.
But although he was given money for food each week, Larrigan failed to feed Tyson for ‘six to eight weeks but possibly longer.’
He was also witnessed kicking the dog, which had a weak heart, and refused to hand him over unless his owner gave him more money.
The 31-year-old, of Glenolden Street, Clayton, was living in Ryecroft Street, Ashton, at the time of the offence between July and August 2006.
Tameside magistrates heard how RSPCA inspector Vicki McDonald asked police to help her seize the dog because of Larrigan’s ‘aggressive’ behaviour.
When they arrived, he hurled abuse at them before eventually bringing Tyson outside.
Prosecuting, Mark Harper said: "The inspector was shocked at the emaciated state of the dog. He was emaciated with his skeletal features clearly visible and ate ravenously and drank thirstily when presented with food and water. Inspector McDonald was also threatened by the defendant."
He said Tyson’s owner was too scared to return for the dog because she could not afford Larrigan’s ransom.
Tyson, who has since been rehomed, spent four days in hospital and was so traumatised that he had to be seen by an animal psychiatrist. The RSPCA spent more than £2,000 on vets and boarding fees.
Larrigan, who denied causing unnecessary suffering, was convicted after trial.
He was sentenced to a four-month suspended sentence, banned from keeping animals for 10 years and was ordered to pay £500 towards court costs.
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