A HEARTLESS dog owner who kicked his pregnant pet has been banned from looking after animals for life.
In a case magistrates said was one of the worst cases of animal cruelty they had ever seen, Mark Guy was watched by disgusted council staff repeatedly booting his Staffordshire bull terrier, Bella, outside his home in Trinity Walk, Laygate, South Shields.
He then launched into a “vile” rant of bad language and rude gestures when they confronted him, before police were called to arrest the 28-year-old.
And one of the shocked witnesses said she had seen Guy abusing the dog previously.
He pleaded guilty to two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court last week.
Guy had been warned he could go to jail for the attacks but yesterday, when he was back at the court to be sentenced, he was given a 12-week prison sentence suspended for 12-months as well as the lifetime ban.
He was also told to pay £477 court costs.
Chairman of the bench, Lorraine Montgomerie, told Guy: “This is one of the worst cases of animal cruelty that we’ve ever seen.
“Four social workers heard the dog yelping from inside their building.
“We hope you are thoroughly ashamed of yourself.”
Clive McKeag, prosecuting, told the court that the police had called the RSPCA after arresting the dog, which was badly bruised in the attack.
He said: “On March 15, a number of witnesses in offices opposite the defendant’s home heard a yelping noise which sounded like a dog crying.
“They looked out the window to see Guy kicking his dog three or four times before stopping, and then doing it again another three or four times.”
Magistrates heard Guy signed the dog over to the RSPCA, and she now has a new owner and has had two puppies.
Mr McKeag said: “The council workers were shocked by what they saw, and when they went outside to talk to Guy, he became abusive.
“His language was vile.”
Guy was cautioned by police for his threatening behaviour.
One woman said in September last year she saw Guy pick the dog up and throw it to the floor.
Mark Richardson, defending, said: “Sending him to prison won’t do anything to address his behaviour. Whatever the issue is that caused him to do this must be stamped out.”
Speaking after the case, RSPCA inspector Jacqui Miller said: “I’m very happy with the result.
“He has been punished for a horrendous act of deliberate cruelty, and the lifetime ban reflects that. Bans of that nature only come about in the very worst cases, which is what this was.”
Twitter: @shieldsgazcrime
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