A Richmond resident has been banned from keeping animals after pleading guilty to four offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. The case was heard at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court on 9 April.
CCTV and mobile phone footage showed the repeated physical abuse of a four-year-old Rottweiler named Sasha. The abuse took place on three separate occasions, including twice in a public house in Richmond and once at another location in the town.
Although Sasha did not sustain physical injuries, a vet told the court the dog’s body language and the force seen in the footage made it clear that pain and fear were caused.
The abuse came to light after four separate video clips were reviewed by RSPCA Inspector Clare Wilson, leading to Sasha being seized by police on 23 August 2023.
An expert vet said: “The video footage provides good evidence of the Rottweiler being physically abused on at least three separate occasions.”
The court was told that mitigating circumstances included issues with alcohol and mental health. The resident was fined £200, ordered to pay £1,080 in costs, and given an £80 victim surcharge, along with a disqualification from keeping animals.
Sasha was signed over into RSPCA care and has since been rehomed.
Inspector Wilson said: “It was sickening to view the repeated violence towards Sasha and thankfully she suffered no long-term damage. I would urge anyone witnessing violence towards animals to report it immediately to the RSPCA or the police.”
