A WOMAN has been found guilty of crimes connected with the death of a puppy.

Carrie Munden, of Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, was convicted of causing unnecessary to a protected animal, as well as a further three animal welfare offences.

The 21-year-old, of Godley Close, had denied the charges, but was found guilty after a day-long trial at Northallerton Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

Lee Butcher, a Catterick-based soldier, had earlier admitted killing the puppy, a 12-week old Staffordshire Bull Terrier named Bruno, in March last year.

He killed it by wringing its neck and using a rock to finish it off, the court was told.

Butcher said Munden, the wife of a soldier friend of his, had asked him to get rid off the puppy.

Munden denied asking Mr Butcher to kill the puppy, but admitted she could not cope with its unruly behaviour.

Magistrates’ chairman Malcolm Rowe said: "We find that Lee Butcher left the house, having been told to take it away and kill it.

"We believe that Lee felt that Carrie Munden had given that instruction."

The hearing adjourned was for reports.

* In November last year, Butcher was sentenced to 280 hours of unpaid work and banned from keeping animals for five years. He was ordered to pay £563 in prosecution costs.