Luke Walker, 23, smiled and puffed on a vape as he walked free from Liverpool Crown Court after admitting to punching and kicking a French bulldog named Buddy to death. The court heard that Walker had been entrusted to care for the dog, believing it would help with his mental health struggles.
On September 8, Walker called Buddy's owner to say the dog had died, initially claiming he did not know how. When the owner visited his Wirral flat, she noticed a foul rotting smell mixed with bleach and saw dried blood around the kitchen sink. Buddy's body was found on a pillow inside a cage, with wet blood around his mouth. A veterinary expert concluded the injuries were non-accidental, and Buddy had suffered considerable pain from previous assaults.
Walker's confession and previous attacks
Walker later confessed to losing his temper after Buddy soiled the floor with urine and faeces. He admitted punching the dog repeatedly, kicking him, and attempting to suffocate him with a pillow. He also revealed he had beaten the dog on two earlier occasions for fouling in the living room. On one occasion, he stopped only when the dog yelped, realising he had gone too far.
RSPCA Inspector Anthony Joynes visited Walker, who said he had been struggling with his mental health and had argued with his father on the day of the killing. Walker acknowledged that taking on the dog had not helped his mental state and instead led to repeated attacks.
Sentencing and ban
Recorder Nicola Daley told Walker: "You are someone who struggles with their temper, so you act impulsively making the wrong decisions when you are angry." She deemed the case of higher culpability due to prolonged and repeated serious cruelty resulting in death. However, she acknowledged Walker's remorse and mental health difficulties, including a recent diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder and ADHD.
Walker received a 17-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, along with 150 hours of unpaid work, 20 rehabilitation days, and a 12-month mental health treatment requirement. He was also banned from keeping, owning, or caring for any dog until further order. As he left the dock, he mouthed "thank you" to the judge.
