WARNING: This story contains extremely graphic content with testimony of violent animal cruelty. Discretion is advised.
A judge has reserved the decision in the sentencing of a Calgary man who admits to killing his former tenants’ family dog.
Robert Nicholson pleaded guilty to one count of causing harm to an animal Thursday.
Chevy, a female Border Collie cross, was killed March 23, 2015.
READ MORE: Charges laid in connection with brutal beating death of dog in Renfrew
Nicholson, 36, had sublet the main floor of a Renfrew house to Joe Hossay and his wife and kids.
Nicholson asked Hossay to watch over his belongings while he went on a three-month vacation to the Philippines to see his wife.
But when he returned, he claimed some of his valuables were missing and said he realized Hossay was late paying rent and other bills.
According to an agreed statement of facts, Nicholson went into a rage—breaking down the door to the Hossays’ suite.
Court heard Nicholson chased Chevy around the house, into the backyard and into the garage. Nicholson struck Chevy with the blunt end of an axe, causing a skull fracture.
Watch below from April 2, 2015: A 34-year-old man has been charged in an animal abuse case. A dog was found buried in the back yard in the community of Renfrew.
When that didn’t knock Chevy unconscious, court heard Nicholson stabbed him twice in the neck/throat with a knife. But that still didn’t kill Chevy.
The dog ran from the garage but then Nicholson attacked her again—attempting to cut the dog’s throat. The knife was too dull.
Nicholson went back in his home and got a serrated knife, then went back outside and cut through Chevy’s neck.
The vet who later examined Chevy said there were both stab and “saw” marks in the dog’s neck.
READ MORE: Police investigate after Calgary family finds dog stabbed, buried in yard
Chevy died from blood loss from the cut to her jugular and carotid veins.
Prosecutor Rosalind Greenwood told court the dog was “murdered in a violent, savage manner.”
She described it as ‘‘stark, unmitigated terror.”
The doctor estimated it took at least ten minutes for the dog to die and said the dog would have been gasping while the attack continued.
Watch below from April 2 : The owner of a dog found killed in Renfrew is speaking out. The family pet was found dead in their backyard and a former tenant in their home was charged.
When Hossay returned home, Chevy had already been buried by Nicholson in the backyard.
He lied to police twice about what happened before the truth came out, claiming the dog had been run over and saying he simply euthanized Chevy.
Hossay and his family didn’t know the graphic details of Chevy’s death until Thursday.
“I definitely felt sick to my stomach…reading it was quite a shock,” Hossay said.
“I definitely want to see him get some help and learn to control that anger. If he’s going to do that to an animal, what’s stopping him from going after a child or a female or another male? If a man has that much anger and aggression, what’s stopping him?”
Hossay said the impact on his family continues to this day.
“Even people seeing people having fun with their dog…deep down that hurts and you’re like, ‘man, I wish my dog could have been here.’”
Animal rights activists broke down during the court proceedings.
“I wasn’t expecting it to be as brutal as it was,” said Heather Anderson, founder of the DAISY foundation.
“I don’t even know what to say. I’m in shock over the brutality of what he really did to this dog and that poor family and those children who have to think every day of their life how he met his death,” she said.
The prosecution is asking for a minimum of two years for the “gratuitous, unprovoked violence on a family pet.”
Greenwood said Nicholson targeted the dog.
“He was pissed off at Mr. Hossay and wanted revenge. He has no excuse for what he did. He lost his temper.”
Defence said Nicholson has a low IQ and ADHD and is suggesting a conditional sentence with no jail.
Nicholson told the judge he has children who rely on him in a “Third World country.”
“I have great regret,” he said, sobbing.
“I think about this every day and every night.”
Nicholson said he’s already gone for counselling and plans to go for more.
“I’m so terribly sorry,” he said. “I’ve taken steps…a mistake like this will never happen again.”
Provincial court Judge John Bascom will make his sentencing decision Jan. 31, 2017.
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