Police in Saitama have arrested a 47-year-old man on suspicion of violating the animal cruelty law after he killed his pet dog by kicking it and slamming its cage against the floor.
According to police, Toshiyuki Watanabe has admitted to kicking the male three-year-old toy dog twice at his home in Omiya Ward on June 3. His wife reported the incident to the police after the dog was found dead on Monday morning and Watanabe was arrested later that day, Fuji TV reported.
Police said Watanabe told them he kicked the dog twice, then picked up the cage and threw it against the floor. He said he lost his temper because the dog wouldn't stop barking.
© Japan Today
23 Comments
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toshiko
The prosecuted usually ask the same sentence of the verdict of the previous same crime. Six years.
Novenachama
This is not a personality flaw in the abuser but is a man symptomatic of a deep mental disturbance. This type of person who commits acts of cruelty to animals don't stop there. Many of them move on to human beings and its relationship to other violent acts is well established. Murders very often start out by killing and torturing animals as a child. Convicted animal abusers should be required to get a psychiatric evaluation and need some sort of psychiatric help.
roosterman77
He could try kicking my dog... good luck. @sensei. I'm glad she did.
sensei258
But calling the police on your husband, over a pet?
kurisupisu
He should be charged with murder......yes I know!!!
cleo
Article 44 of the Animal Welfare and Management Act states that the penalty for destroying or injuring without reason a pet (★愛護動物) is up to 2 years' imprisonment or a fine of up to 2 million yen.
Abandonment of a pet carries a fine of up to 1 million. As if that's ever implemented.
★Actually defined as cattle, horses, pigs, sheep, goats, dogs, cats, rabbits, chickens, doves and ducks. Maybe domestic animal would be a better translation.
http://law.e-gov.go.jp/htmldata/S48/S48HO105.html#1000000000006000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
Aly Rustom
anyone here know what penalty that carries?
Zaphod
I hate these toy dogs too, but come on... kicking it to death? I hope the guy does not have children, it is like he would behave the same way with them.
Supersmashed
Ah I see, thanks @cleo and @FizzBit
Tessa
A horrifying story, but good to see that Japan has come so far in such a short time, regarding animal rights. It'll be interesting to see what kind of sentence he receives.
Kobe White Bar Owner
Reading this after walking my 2 dogs and my blood is boiling what type of (male, i wont say man) does this. Animals and kids can not defend themselves. Only the weak pick on the weak. Abuse never has to do with the victim, It's the abuser who's insecure. Glad they names the p.o.s
Cogito Ergo Sum
Sounds like a real " samurai" to me. Then they think they are real tough guys. Poor thing.
FizzBit
Toy poodle for example. We had one many many years ago.
cleo
I'd hazard a guess that it's because the dog was three years old, and of a toy breed, i.e., tiny.
Supersmashed
Why does the article say "...three-year-old toy dog..."?
DaDude
As I asked before but never hear an answer, what is the punishment for breaking the Animal Cruelty Law? A slap on the wrist or jail time?
sir_bentley28
So the next time he looses his temper, will he kick someone or something to death for breathing too much?
BurakuminDes
Poor little dog. I sincerely hope this nasty piece of work Watanabe loses everything - his wife, family and job. However, sadly I dont think prison time is an option for such an offence in Japan? (or I have never heard of a prison sentence for such cruelty) It should be.
sensei258
Having said all of that, maybe he kicked the dog because it was more important to his wife than he was.
cleo
There are some seriously disturbed people who should never be allowed out there.
What kind of big, tough machoman does someone have to be to kick a tiny dog to death? Because it wouldn't stop barking? What is he going to 'lose his temper' over next time? If I were his wife I think I would want police protection. And certainly a divorce.
stormcrow
There are some seriously disturbed people out there who should never be allowed to have pets or children.
khulifi
How much Mr. Watanabe he will get for this act ... considering some one kills human and dump the body in the sea and get 18 month ..!!
SenseNotSoCommon
Can we put Mr. Watanabe in a cage, and see how he likes it?