Couple Drowned Elderly Dog in Canal
Terence and Sadie Boyd, a married couple from Brierfield, Lancashire, were caught on CCTV stuffing their elderly terrier, Maddie, into a black bin bag and throwing her into the Leeds and Liverpool Canal on August 27 last year. The dog later died despite rescue attempts.
The Boyds were filmed walking along Walter Street, Brierfield, at around 9:05am carrying the black bag. Additional footage showed them heading toward the canal and returning minutes later after dumping Maddie into the water inside the bag.
Witnesses and Rescue Attempt
A dog walker who witnessed the couple throwing the bin bag into the water initially thought it contained clothing. When the bag began to move and Maddie's head emerged, a member of the public jumped into the canal in a desperate bid to rescue her. Emergency services were alerted, and Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service pulled Maddie from the canal. Police took her for emergency veterinary treatment.
Maddie was microchipped to Sadie Boyd's address, and the couple were arrested at their home later that day. Seven malnourished, urine-soaked kittens and a cold corn snake were also seized from the property.
Maddie's Condition and Death
Despite surviving the initial ordeal, Maddie's condition worsened at a veterinary practice in the following days. She was put to sleep to prevent further suffering. In written evidence, the treating vet stated: "On clinical examination, Maddie was hypothermic, with a temperature of 33.2C. She was severely malnourished, with significant muscle atrophy." The vet also noted severe dental disease and multiple puncture wounds to her neck. By August 29, Maddie struggled to walk and displayed abnormal neurological symptoms, leading to the decision to euthanize her.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
Terrence Boyd, 34, and Sadie Boyd, 32, both of Walter Street, Brierfield, appeared at Burnley Magistrates’ Court on June 24. They each pleaded guilty to two offences under the Animal Welfare Act relating to Maddie, the kittens, and the snake. Magistrates were told the house was unsanitary, with large piles of pet faeces upstairs and mice running around the kitchen.
All seven kittens removed from the address were malnourished, and some were urine-soaked. Four were hypothermic on presentation, and the smallest female, weighing only 735 grams, was recumbent and about to have a seizure; she was put to sleep on welfare grounds.
In his RSPCA interview, Terrence Boyd made mostly no comment, suggesting there could be "hundreds of people" walking around with dark clothes and a beard. Sadie Boyd also denied being at the canal that morning or owning the kittens.
The couple were each sentenced to eight weeks in custody, suspended for 12 months. They were banned from keeping animals for 10 years, ordered to complete 20 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days, and pay a victim surcharge of £154 each. They cannot apply to have the disqualification order terminated for five years.
RSPCA Statement
RSPCA Chief Inspector Kelly Nix said: "What happened to Maddie was horrifying and this incident was understandably the cause of great distress to people who were at the scene, the emergency services and the wider local community. I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to everyone who came together and showed nothing but kindness towards Maddie. ... It was heart-breaking that Maddie’s condition deteriorated and she ultimately could not be saved. I hope people will take some small comfort in the fact that those responsible for this shocking incident were able to be held to account for their actions and will not be able to keep animals for the foreseeable future."
Other Animals
A corn snake found cold in an enclosure with no heating or suitable light was passed into the care of an exotic specialist. The surviving kittens were rehomed by the RSPCA. Other animals owned by the couple, including adult cats not subject to the offences, were also taken into the charity’s care for rehoming.
