A sheepdog trainer in Bacup grabbed his dog by the neck and repeatedly hit her in the head, in a violent attack that was caught on CCTV.
Darren Tillotson, 36, of Hackings Caravan Park in Whalley, has been convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to a Jack Russell terrier by inflicting blunt force trauma.
The court heard that on December 1, 2022, a report was made to the RSPCA which showed a man beating a dog on CCTV, in the vicinity of Gaghills Mill, in Gaghills Road, Waterfoot.
The attack had taken place on October 6, 2022. Tillotson, formerly of Burnley Road, Weir, was charged with caused unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, namely two terrier type female dogs called Lily and Maggie.
RSPCA inspector Vicki McDonald, who investigated, said: “I viewed the footage [which showed] a male stopping a vehicle and getting out.
“He then proceeded to the back of the vehicle where he opened what appeared to be an internal kennel door.
A sheepdog trainer from Weir grabbed his dog and repeatedly hit her in the head, in an violent attack that was caught on CCTV (Image: RSPCA)
“I saw the male violently grab a small dog by the neck area and administer in the region of 10 forceful blows with his hand or fist to the dog’s head.
“The male then took a small tan and white Jack Russell kind canine from the rear of the car and handed it to a person within the entrance passenger seat.
“The male clearly appeared indignant and aggressive.”
Enquiries traced the car to Tillotson.
After gaining a warrant, inspector McDonald and a police officer attended the farm the place Tillotson labored.
The court docket heard that he was interviewed by inspector McDonald, and stated within the interview that the canine belonged to his companion.
Prior to the incident, the canine had began preventing with one other canine within the car and he stopped the automobile to allow them to know they had been “in the wrong”.
A sheepdog trainer from Weir grabbed his dog and repeatedly hit her in the head, in an violent attack that was caught on CCTV (Image: RSPCA)
An expert vet who viewed the footage said in a statement presented to court: “In my opinion the dog was caused to suffer as a consequence of being subjected to physical abuse.
“Suffering will have been experienced via mechanisms of pain, fear and distress for a period of at least several seconds, probably longer.”
Following the sentencing, inspector McDonald said: “We are thankful to the members of the public who contacted us about this incident.
“Aggressive behaviour and violence towards dogs will not be tolerated.”
The dog was returned to his partner on the understanding that they were no longer in a relationship and he would have no responsibility for their care.
Tillotson pleaded guilty to the offence at court in April.
He was sentenced on Thursday, November 9, at Burnley Magistrates’ Court, the place he was handed a 12-month neighborhood order with the requirement to hold out 100 hours of unpaid work, and was ordered to pay a sufferer surcharge of £114.
