A person from County Durham has been banned from retaining dogs for 5 years after a member of the general public filmed his five-minute attack on his canine, Lazarus, who could be seen within the video cowering and making an attempt to tug away while being hit repeatedly with an object.
Christopher Smith was prosecuted by the RSPCA after the charity was despatched a video of the incident, which Smith claimed occurred whereas he was drunk. Following an investigation, Smith was visited at his home on 4 April by RSPCA inspector Kirsty Keogh-Laws.
She later mentioned in court docket, “A white male, round 5ft 9 inches of slim build with darkish brown mid size hair and a moustache, answered the door. I now know this individual to be Christoper Smith. There was additionally a brown/pink merle male pocket bully sort canine generally known as Lazarus.
“I explained the reason for my visit. Christopher Smith advised me that the incident happened the previous Monday and he had been drunk and lost his temper. He confirmed it was him and Lazarus in the video.”
“The dog was friendly and boisterous around me but appeared to be hand shy of Christopher Smith. He confirmed he owned Lazarus and that he had not seen a vet since the incident or while in his care at all.”
Smith gave permission for the inspector to take Lazarus to be examined by a vet, who was additionally proven the video of the incident. In his assertion to the court docket the vet mentioned, that Lazarus “had been caused to suffer by the mechanism of injury due to physical attack during the period caught on camera”.
Lazarus stays in RSPCA care. As for Smith, along with the five-year disqualification order, magistrates additionally imposed a 12-month Community Order with 20 RAR days and an £80 tremendous.
Inspector Keogh-Laws added, “Smith inflicted appalling and totally unnecessary violence on this young dog. Members of the public were equally concerned by what they witnessed and we’d like to thank them for providing us with the footage which has ensured Smith has been held to account for his actions.”
Images by RSPCA
