A 30-year-old Suffolk man who inflicted catastrophic blunt force trauma on his pet dog and falsely claimed the animal had been run over by a car has received a suspended custodial sentence at Cambridge Crown Court.
Lewis Petherick, residing in Haverhill, Suffolk, appeared in the dock for sentence on 23 October 2026 after being found guilty of animal cruelty offences brought by the RSPCA following a detailed veterinary investigation.
The prosecution outlined that the alarm was first raised by veterinary personnel in October 2024 when Petherick presented his pet collie-lurcher cross, named Joey, for emergency medical attention. Petherick claimed to clinic staff that the animal had escaped from his custody and sustained injuries after being struck by a motor vehicle.
However, clinical examinations and subsequent post-mortem forensic assessments revealed extensive and fatal injuries that directly contradicted Petherick’s version of events. Joey had suffered multiple fractures to his skull, alongside severe, widespread blunt force trauma concentrated across his head, chest, and abdominal cavity.
Expert veterinary witnesses concluded that the injuries were entirely inconsistent with the dynamics of a road traffic collision. The veterinary findings demonstrated that the dog had been subjected to severe physical abuse, enduring hours of prolonged agony, terror, and physical distress before succumbing to his injuries.
Furthermore, investigators established that Petherick had neglected the dog prior to the fatal attack, failing to provide an adequate diet or seek necessary veterinary attention for his severely underweight and deteriorating physical condition.
At Cambridge Crown Court, Petherick was convicted of:
One count of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal (found guilty)
One count of failing to provide a suitable diet or seek veterinary care (admitted via guilty plea)
Sentencing Petherick, the presiding judge highlighted the severity of the suffering inflicted upon a defenceless domestic pet, but determined that the custodial term could be suspended.
Petherick was sentenced to 28 months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years. As part of the suspended sentence order, the court instructed Petherick to complete 120 hours of unpaid community work and ordered him to pay £1,000 in court costs.
In addition, the judge imposed a disqualification order under animal welfare legislation banning Petherick from owning, keeping, or participating in the keeping of any animals indefinitely until further order.
Image – Anonymous Artist Impression
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