Earlier this year Count Konrad Goess-Saurau, 70, denied a charge of criminal damage on the grounds that it was reasonable to ‘destroy’ the animal to end his suffering.
Swindon Magistrates’ Court was told on Friday the German pointer named Herman was solely owned by the count’s wife, Countess Susan Goess-Saurau.
Prosecutor Ben Worthington said she arrived home at Temple Farm, Marlborough, Wiltshire, on November 21 last year and couldn’t find Herman.
On checking the CCTV footage, which showed her husband taking her dog, she contacted him.
She claimed his response was: ‘I have put the dog down, he is disgusting, nobody likes him.’
Upset by events, the countess – who has been married to the count for 26 years – phoned Wiltshire Police to report the incident.
She told the court: ‘We had a heated discussion in the morning because [Herman had] peed the day before.
‘I didn’t see it, but the dog had peed through the bannister on the landing onto the table below.’
Mr Worthington said the count admitted the shooting in a hand-written prepared statement handed to a police officer in an interview – but claimed the pet had cancer and was in agony.
‘I fully admit that I shot Herman, my gun dog,’ it read. ‘I shot him humanely and buried him with my gamekeeper.
‘I had to take the merciful route to end Herman’s suffering.’
The count also told police criminal proceedings over Herman’s death were motivated by a divorce and obtaining a larger settlement.
But the countess claimed Herman, who was purchased by her mum Brenda Williams for her 46th birthday, remained healthy and happy.
‘He came riding every morning with me, and in the afternoon, he was averaging 10 miles a day so he was very very fit,’ she said.
‘It was such an awful thing to do, the dog didn’t deserve to die and it was my dog, not his dog.
‘I adore my dogs. When their time comes, it is done so in a kind, calm and compassionate manner
Chair of the bench, Beverly Payne, returned a verdict of guilty.
‘We note the relationship was acrimonious and had been on that day,’ she said.
‘We are sure that you acted unreasonably, you could have organised taking Herman to a vet to be euthanised like all the other pets.
‘You must have known that would have upset your wife. Therefore we do find you guilty.’
Describing the offence as having a ‘high degree of planning’, Ms Payne imposed a £2,000 fine. He must also pay £620 costs and a £200 surcharge.
