Liam Dowling (44) who violently killed his dog in a public park full of children has avoided serving jail time. Dowling killed his sick dog claiming he could not afford the vet bills. Dowling was today sentenced to 200 hours community service and shockingly, will be allowed to keep dogs in the future.
One witness saw Dowling swing the Jack Russell dog overhead by its lead and smash it to the ground up to 30 times as he crossed a park area by Clonliffe College. Garda Shane Mengessidis said that Dowling was also seen putting his foot on the dog’s head while it was on the ground and pulling the lead tight.
Dowling pleaded guilty to killing a protected animal. He has 12 previous convictions, including a four and a half year sentence for a drugs offence.e.
Judge Nolan noted that Dowling cared for a child and was a “contributing member of society”. Dowling claimed that he could not afford the vet bills for the dog that had been sick for up to five months. Dowling had a drug problem and was on antidepressants at the time.