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Heseltine 'throttled mother's pet Alsatian after it turned' Heseltine 'throttled mother's pet Alsatian after it turned'
(35 minutes later)
Former Deputy Prime Minister Lord Heseltine has admitted throttling his mother's pet Alsatian after it started biting him. Ex-Deputy Prime Minister Lord Heseltine has admitted throttling his mother's Alsatian after it started biting him.
He told Tatler magazine he had grabbed the dog, Kim, by his "choker chain - and pulled it tight" until "he went limp", after the animal had had "some kind of mental breakdown". He told Tatler magazine he had grabbed the dog, Kim, by his "choker chain - and pulled it tight" until "he went limp", after the pet had had "some kind of mental breakdown".
It is not clear if the animal died then or was put down later because of its continuing aggressive behaviour.It is not clear if the animal died then or was put down later because of its continuing aggressive behaviour.
The RSPCA is not investigating. The RSPCA said it would not be investigating the incident.
BitingBiting
In 1990, when he was running to be leader of the Conservative Party, the Observer mentioned a "'killing-of-the-dog story', in which Heseltine allegedly strangled his own pet at a party", but this was dismissed by one of his biographers as "journalists' exaggeration". In 1990, when he was running to be leader of the Conservative Party, the Observer newspaper mentioned a "'killing-of-the-dog story', in which Heseltine allegedly strangled his own pet at a party", but this was dismissed by one of his biographers as "journalists' exaggeration".
Asked about a similar rumour, in which he was said to have killed a dog with his bare hands after it attacked a child, he told Tatler: "Ah, I can tell you what that was. That was my mother's Alsatian, Kim. I went to stroke him and he started biting me, [pointing to his body] here and here." Asked about a similar rumour, in which he was said to have killed a dog with his bare hands after it attacked a child, Lord Heseltine told Tatler: "Ah, I can tell you what that was. That was my mother's Alsatian, Kim. I went to stroke him and he started biting me, [pointing to his body] here and here."
He said: "If you have a dog that turns, you just cannot risk it. So I took Kim's collar - a sort of choker chain - and pulled it tight. Suddenly he went limpHe said: "If you have a dog that turns, you just cannot risk it. So I took Kim's collar - a sort of choker chain - and pulled it tight. Suddenly he went limp
"I was devoted to Kim, but he'd obviously had some sort of mental breakdown. There was no choice.""I was devoted to Kim, but he'd obviously had some sort of mental breakdown. There was no choice."
Tatler says Lord Heseltine's wife, Lady Heseltine, added: "Beautiful dog. Huge, with a great thick coat."Tatler says Lord Heseltine's wife, Lady Heseltine, added: "Beautiful dog. Huge, with a great thick coat."
Shot squirrelsShot squirrels
An RSPCA spokesman said the organisation "can only investigate and prosecute summary-only offences - like those under the Animal Welfare Act - within three years of that alleged offence being committed".An RSPCA spokesman said the organisation "can only investigate and prosecute summary-only offences - like those under the Animal Welfare Act - within three years of that alleged offence being committed".
"Therefore, in this instance, we are not able to look any further into this matter," he said."Therefore, in this instance, we are not able to look any further into this matter," he said.
"There is no rule that says a dog should automatically be put to sleep if it bites someone."There is no rule that says a dog should automatically be put to sleep if it bites someone.
"If you are concerned about your dog's behaviour, the RSPCA would advise that you seek expert advice."If you are concerned about your dog's behaviour, the RSPCA would advise that you seek expert advice.
"It is important to get your pet checked by a vet, as the dog may have become aggressive due to being in pain."It is important to get your pet checked by a vet, as the dog may have become aggressive due to being in pain.
"If a vet rules out any form of illness or injury that could be causing the issue, they can then refer you to a behaviour expert for further help.""If a vet rules out any form of illness or injury that could be causing the issue, they can then refer you to a behaviour expert for further help."
Earlier this month, Lord Heseltine revealed he had shot 350 grey squirrels in a month at his home in Northamptonshire.Earlier this month, Lord Heseltine revealed he had shot 350 grey squirrels in a month at his home in Northamptonshire.
Lord Heseltine, 83, was deputy prime minister from 1995 to 1997, having previously served as defence secretary, environment secretary and president of the Board of Trade.Lord Heseltine, 83, was deputy prime minister from 1995 to 1997, having previously served as defence secretary, environment secretary and president of the Board of Trade.