Hull woman stabbed and strangled Yorkshire Terrier to death

A 47-year-old woman from Hull has admitted killing her Yorkshire Terrier after stabbing it multiple times.

Patricia King pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to her dog at Hull Magistrates Court.

Louise Freeman, prosecuting for the RSPCA, told the court that on 7 February, 2022, King stabbed and strangled Pepper to death.

Ms Freeman told the court: "A post-mortem report also showed strangulation.

"The cause of death was likely due to the stab wounds, but suffocation was not ruled out. Prosecution states the case is high culpability."

High culpability is described as having foresight of or being wilfully blind to risk.

However, Ian Phillip, the duty solicitor, argued it it could be a low culpability case due to King's mental health issues.

King had been suffering from mental health problems at the time of the offence and had been admitted to a mental health facility, the court was told.

Solicitors agreed that meant King was not in the right state of mind.

The court adjourned the case so that the probation service could produce a report ahead of sentencing.

King was asked to speak with the probation service to set up an appointment for the report after the hearing concluded.

The report will be an expert assessment of the nature and causes of King's behaviour, the risk she poses and to whom, as well as an independent recommendation of the sentencing options available to the court.

King pleaded guilty in court. She will appear in court again on 15 December.

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