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A WIRRAL man accused of dumping a dog with chronic arthritis in a cemetery has received a four week jail sentence suspended for two years.

Gordon Roach, 41 of Dundonald Street, pleaded guilty to the charges of causing unnecessary suffering to a cross breed called Elmo.

Appearing in court via a video link from prison where he is currently serving a 31-month custodial sentence for burglary, Roach spoke only to confirm his address and plea.

Last week, his co-accused and owner of "Elmo", Linda Clark received a three-month suspended sentence for her part in the dog ill health.

Roach was a friend of Clark’s son at the time and offered to help after she became unable to care for Elmo, who had a series of serious health conditions.

Chris Murphy, who prosecuted on behalf of the RSPCA, told court how Roach promised Clark he would take Elmo to the nearest RSPCA centre to receive treatment.

He collected Elmo in a shopping trolley and panicked then instead left Elmo at Birkenhead Flaybrick Cemetery in January.

Chris Murphy added X-rays showed Elmo suffered with a chronic bone condition and poly arthritis meaning his bones were crumbling and Elmo was left unable to walk.

The court heard that ten-year-old crossbreed was found by a member of the public.

The dog's condition was so bad he had to be put to sleep.

Anna Duke, defending told magistrates her client felt “deeply ashamed” and at the time he had his own dogs so realises he should have known better.

The court originally handed Roach a six-week custodial sentence, but this was reduced to four weeks because he had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.

The ordeal of 14-year-old Elmo was reported across the nation.

Speaking after sentencing, Wirral RSPCA Inspector Anthony Joynes said: “Roach collected poor Elmo using a shopping trolley and said to the owner he would deliver the dog to the RSPCA.

“He then decided to dump him in the cemetery in an area where he was unlikely to be found.

“Elmo was in a collapsed state and could quite easily have died overnight. He would have been cold, alone and in immense pain wondering what was happening.”

He added: “At the moment roach took control of the dog that was at the point in law he became responsible for his welfare and the decision he made of what to do with this completely helpless dog is simply appalling.

“I am just glad that he was spotted and that he was shown compassion and care in his final moments.

“Roach would not have even faced magistrates if it was not for the public.”

“This case infuriated animal lovers across Merseyside and the rest of the country and it was only due to information received from the public that allowed us to progress the investigation so thanks to them.”

Eh? Disabled owner who was trying to get dog to vets gets 3 months suspended but the person that dumped the disabled dog gets 4 weeks despite having a criminal record.

What's more, most of the suspended sentence he will be in jail anyway.

Totally illogical .

That was a separate case. She was prosecuted over the long term neglect which let poor Elmo get in this appalling state, with chronic arthritis going untreated. This left him with multiple fractures and joint dislocations. Poor thing must have been in permanent agony. She got off lightly IMHO

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/wirral-gran-pleads-guilty-causing-11319730

I just cant get my head around how people can look at another living being and turn a blind eye to suffering .

There is no excuse for this poor dog's suffering. I hope they both rot in hell.

Dont hold back Heswall !

Wish reporting would get some geographical knowledge and not go on post office geography. Reported as a Prenton lady when address was Egan Road, North End Birkenhead. Giving Prenton a bad name!!

Good Lord, what is the matter with these people. Yet another scumbag who thinks its ok to batter a dog to death. We really must have harsher penalties - they dont think twice because they know they'll just get their hands smacked. A Cavalier Spaniel - dogs just dont come any more soft than this. This guy had no excuse whatsoever.

http://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/1..._WARNING__graphic_image/?ref=mr&lp=9

Your right he had no excuse just a spoilt immature reaction to get back at his girlfriend. Hope she dumps him.
Dont think harsher penalties are necessarily the answer in cases like that---sure it might assuage our anger. Fits of anger/revenge people don't stop to think of the consequences. People still murder people knowing it carries a big sentence.
What worries me is -are we sitting on a timebomb with todays youth. Few jobs, poorly paid ones, broken familes, hopelessness, celeb lifestyles giving false expectations, drugs, alcohol---enough to wreck minds

Certainly all those things are worrying, fish . You wonder if it will all end in anarchy and revolution, or in slothful apathetic despair as a generation goes down the tubes. On the other hand , on a more cheerful note, if there was a Brexit - who knows, things might do a turn around.

Roach by name and roach by nature! What a terrible betrayal of the love and trust that all dogs have for their owners.

Given 6 weeks but this was reduced, i would have given both of them 10 years, and taken the other dogs off him,
When i look around and see people with dogs, i think there should be some sort of IQ test, if you pass, you make keep a dog, fail you don't, if you then go out a get a dog, you will go to jail and given a heavy fine or benefits stopped,
The same test could be used when they want to breed, why the hell should the taxpaper give them money to have kids.