Mumbai, August 30: Two women in the UK have been sentenced to jail for the "cruel and sadistic" murder of a friend's parrot. According to a BBC report, the accused women, Nicola Bradley and Tracy Dixon, both from Carlisle, killed a female African grey parrot during an extended drinking session. The shocking details of the killing of the parrot named Sparky revealed that the bird was sprayed with cleaning products, daubed with gloss paint and tried to feed it to a dog. The two women subsequently put her in a tumble dryer before breaking her neck.

According to BBC, Sparky's owner, Paul Crooks, told the court that he now suffers from anxiety, panic attacks and sleeping issues. According to him, the incident occurred on July 30 last year when he gave the women a lift to his house after a drunken night. The man left for shopping and returned to find Sparky unresponsive and unrecognisable, with her head limp outside the cage. Crooks added that his friends greatly enjoyed Sparky's talent for singing the national anthem and theme songs from TV soaps.  Animal Cruelty in UK: Indian-Origin Man Sentenced to Prison for Starving, Chaining Dog to Fridge After It Gives Birth to Seven Puppies.

In court, it was revealed that attempts were made to feed Sparky to Crooks's dog. Subsequently, the parrot was placed in an activated tumble dryer. When the dryer was opened, the parrot barely breathed, and one of the women then twisted its neck, killing it brutally. Animal Cruelty in Mumbai: Man Kicks and Assaults Stray Dog Before Locking Canine in BMC Pump House Room in Malad for 45 Minutes; Arrested.

The judge presiding over the case at Carlisle Crown Court expressed utter disbelief at the level of cruelty displayed, terming it as "beyond comprehension." Consequently, both women have been handed prison terms of 25 months each. The court also banned women from owning or keeping animals indefinitely.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 30, 2023 03:58 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).