A Cwmbran man has been disqualified from keeping dogs for 10 years after he admitted to kicking his dog and causing unnecessary suffering.
Jason Self, Cwmbran, pleaded guilty to one offence under the Animal Welfare Act.
This was that he caused unnecessary suffering to a male English bulldog known as Bruce by the infliction of physical abuse.
He appeared at Newport Magistrates’ Court on 3 October for sentencing. In mitigation it was heard that he was remorseful.
He was handed a 12-month community order, is required to undertake 10 days of a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement, 60 hours unpaid work and pay a £114 victim surcharge He was disqualified from keeping dogs for 10 years.
The court heard this defendant was brought to the attention of the RSPCA as a result of a member of the public – who videoed the incident.
In a statement, provided to the court by RSPCA Inspector Simon Evans, he said it was back in November 2023 when he spoke to the person who witnessed the incident with Bruce where he had been “repeatedly kicked” to the face and body.
A police warrant was obtained in December and Inspector Evans was informed that there was no longer a dog on the premises and had been rehomed on Thursday 23 November.
The court heard that Inspector Evans later met Bruce and his new owner who said she had no concerns as to the dog’s temperament and that they were very happy that the dog had come to live with them.
In a witness statement from a vet, who viewed the video, they said: “The person in question kicks the dog with force a number of times to the body and the head, then picks the dog up by the scruff and under the body, carries it to the bottom of the garden area and throws it to the ground forcefully enough that it can be heard on the video from a distance.
“These blows and the fall will have directly caused acute pain to the dog and also ongoing pain from bruising, with the force that some of the blows landed with.
“The dog is likely to have been afraid during the event, being shouted at, kicked and being aggressively picked up and thrown.
“This event clearly shows deliberate actions on behalf of the person involved to try to cause pain and suffering to the dog and they did cause that pain and suffering.”
Following sentencing Inspector Evans said: “This was a very upsetting case and we are very thankful for the person who provided us with the video evidence.
“We are pleased that Bruce was rehomed and is happy in his new home.”
