Man locked up for 18 months after stabbing puppy to death

Vet discovered 2cm wound on Aki's body

- Sentinel Reporter

A MAN has been jailed for stabbing a dog to death.

Matej Ciroka plunged a kitchen knife into a sharpei puppy named Aki at a flat in William Greatbatch Close, Fenton.

Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard Aki suffered a 'sharp force trauma to his right rib' which resulted in his death later that day on May 13 last year.

Seven-month-old Aki was taken to a veterinary clinic in Stoke-on-Trent with breathing difficulties.

A veterinary nurse, who provided a written statement to the court, said she grabbed Aki from the owner in the waiting room and took him through to the prep room.

"Whilst carrying the dog through I saw no signs of life," she said.