WOMAN JAILED FOR 4 MONTHS FOR KILLING HER DOG AS PROTESTERS CALLS FOR STIFFER PUNISHMENT.

 A woman has been jailed after she killed her dog by wrapping duct tape around its muzzle then brutally strangling her with a collar and lead.

Hayley Cowan, 22, then buried Staffordshire Bull Terrier Beau in a shallow grave in the back garden of her home in Tyldesley, near Wigan.

The killing was only uncovered by friends who were worried Beau had disappeared after Cowan had been seen kicking the dog in the face.

One then became so suspicious they started looking in her garden and then dug up Beau's remains before alerting the authorities.

Cowan has now been jailed for four months after what RSPCA chiefs called one of their most harrowing and distressing cases to date.

But protesters are calling for the sentence to be reviewed because of the brutality of the attack. 

Writing on Facebook Helen Williams said: 'How on earth can anyone be so cruel. It is happening all the time and it is very upsetting to hear. A dog is a man's best friend, they are loyal and always there. That poor poor dog. Rest in peace little girl.'

COWAN BURIED THE DOG HERE

Donna Mather wrote: 'Four months!! What a bloody joke! Shud of been 4 years. Scum!!!'

Lulu Anne Percival agreed, writing: 'My heart broke reading this - I cannot imagine the shock, pain and horror, that beautiful dog suffered, at the hands of this vile female.

'Four months in prison - just a joke - the scumbag should do at least 7 years = 1 human year & so on !!'

Gemma Stott wrote: 'She needed longer than that! What a disgrace! She is a danger to people if she can do that to a dog. R.I.P Beau.'

Cowan pleaded guilty to two charges of causing Beau unnecessary suffering and was sentenced at Wigan magistrates court. She was also banned from keeping any animal as a pet for life and ordered to pay the RSPCA £500 in court costs.

The dog, a brindle-coloured adult female, was taken away from Cowan by her friends after the kicking incident, which happened at a house on Lynton Road in Tyldesley on October 14 last year, the court was told.

David McCormick, prosecuting, said her reasons for lashing out weren't known.

Beau was removed from the house by Cowan's friends, but returned in the early hours after she promised not to hurt her.

But the court heard that they were called by Cowan the following morning, who said Beau had ran away.

Just three weeks later however Cowan admitted to them that she had killed then buried Beau in the garden. 

One of the witnesses attended the garden on a later date and found the body. The RSPCA was called on November 5 last year and a post-mortem examination was ordered after an exhumation.

Inspector Vicki McDonald said the results confirmed Beau died from strangulation by means of duct tape and the tightening of a collar. Bruising to her limbs suggested she had been held down.

The court was told that Cowan has a history of mental health problems. Insp McDonald said: 'This was a very heartbreaking case to investigate and only made possible by witnesses coming forward. It was very traumatic and upsetting so I am very grateful to them.

'I hope the sentence passed today will highlight the seriousness of the case and hopefully give Cowan the opportunity to reflect upon her actions against her defenceless dog Beau.'

RSPCA chief Inspector Cathy Hyde said: 'The sentence sends out a very strong message - dreadful acts like this can result in prison sentences.' 

Daily Mail.