Father Who Threw Kittens Off Bridge While Shouting 'Let Them Die' Avoids Jail
A father who drunkenly hurled his daughter's pet kittens into the River Thames, shouting "let them die", has avoided an immediate prison sentence. Andrew Shephard, 59, pleaded guilty to three counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and was handed a 17-week suspended prison sentence at Wimbledon Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.
Drunken Incident on the Bridge
The court heard that Shephard was supposed to be helping his daughter find new homes for the three young cats when he tipped them from a box into the water from a bridge in south-west London last November. As he did so, witnesses reported hearing him yell "let them die" and "I want them to die". Police were alerted to reports of a male throwing cats into the River Thames, with the incident observed by members of the public.
Prosecutor Manisha Kukadia informed the court that there were three kittens altogether. While one was rescued before it fell in, the other two were found "wet and muddy" but alive by police officers. Both animals were said to be in shock, with their body temperature having plummeted below 33°C.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
During the sentencing hearing, Shephard, who represented himself, told magistrates: "I feel bad for what I done. I'm not normally like that. I just don't know what came over me at the time. I was incapacitated by alcohol." He acknowledged being "very drunk at the time" and struggling with alcohol dependency, adding that his daughter could no longer keep the kittens.
Magistrate Elizabeth Evans JP remarked: "We have listened carefully to what you told us, we have listened carefully to the background of this case which is very unpleasant. It's quite clear that this crosses the custody threshold – it's serious enough in sentencing terms to justify a prison sentence." However, she clarified that his sentence would be suspended, noting that the probation service considers Shephard to have a good chance of rehabilitation.
Shephard, of no fixed address, received a 17-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months. He must additionally undertake 30 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days, pay a £154 surcharge, and pay £85 in costs.
Background and Aftermath
The court was informed that the kittens belonged to Shephard's daughter, who had entrusted them to her father to help find them new homes. Ms Kukadia stated that the defendant's daughter was not aware of his actions in relation to the incident on the bridge. Following the incident, Shephard provided a statement to police expressing remorse, explaining "he felt bad about the situation".
The prosecutor emphasised the severity of the case, stating: "There was a clear intention for the kittens to be killed so it's extreme and deliberate in nature. The aggravating factor... is the fact that there was use of alcohol at the time – he did say he was intoxicated." Despite this, the court opted for a suspended sentence based on the defendant's prospects for rehabilitation.
