A man who pinned a dog to the ground and hit it twice in the head with a shovel has been banned from owning animals for life.
Craig Price, from wakefieldIt was seen that he dragged Moschino, a Bull Mastiff type dog, out of the house by holding his neck, then took a large metal-tipped shovel and hit him in the head twice. He then hit the dog’s head with his knee while the pet was lying on the ground.
Neighbors who witnessed the brutal attack in the backyard of a house in Keswick Drive, Castleford, on December 29, 2022, reported it to the RSPCA.
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Price, 33, was prosecuted by the charity and was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to Moschino and the German Shepherd dog, Snowy, after a trial on February 26 this year. He had previously denied two offenses against the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
At the sentencing hearing on April 29 Kirklees Magistrates Court I heard how RSPCA The officer had visited Price’s home, accompanied by police, to speak with him after witnesses described seeing him lift a snow shovel over his head, “hit” Moschino, and “stomp” on the animal’s head with equal force with his knee.
The court heard Price was initially calm but his demeanor immediately changed when the allegation was put to him.
In his written statement, the RSPCA officer said: “Mr Price immediately knew what I was talking about. He said he took the dog out and shouted at it but denied using any physical force. He said there was a shovel there to lift the dogs but again denied hitting them with it.”
Price then became verbally aggressive and began yelling and threatening officers. Get the latest and breaking news from Yorkshire at: You can sign up for our newsletter here.
RSPCA The officer’s statement continued: “What concerned me most was that as soon as the owner’s voice was raised, the demeanor of the two dogs on the property completely changed. When I first observed Moschino, I noticed that he was limping and only occasionally put weight on his right front leg and kept his paw up when he sat.
“When the shouting and commotion began, he immediately became obedient, sitting with his ears pointed back and his paw in the air. He was looking at Mr. Price, but whenever he walked over to Moschino or looked at him, the dog looked down and away.
“Snowy, who was wandering around the kitchen before, has become very obedient. “His ears went back, he retreated to the corner of the kitchen and sat cowering against the back door.”
It was pointed out to Price that Moschino was limping and it was suspected that this was due to the statements of the witnesses. He denied this and said that the dog had been limping for several days after falling down the stairs, but did not seek any veterinary attention.
Price now Lower Warrengate in wakefield The police, who did not allow both dogs to be subjected to veterinary control, were seized and taken for examination. RSPCA hospital.
There, veterinarians found that Moschino’s limp was due to a soft tissue injury and that he was nervous and fearful when examined.
A veterinarian who gave written evidence in the case said, based on eyewitness accounts given to the RSPCA, that Price was physically abused for “at least a few minutes, possibly longer” and failed to protect himself. Moschino was spared injury, pain and suffering.
The court also heard testimony from a clinical animal behaviorist who said Price failed to provide the dogs with a safe and predictable environment where they did not experience anxiety, fear, panic, emotional and physical discomfort and helplessness.
He said: “This suffering could reasonably have been avoided or reduced if Moschino had not been shot and the dogs had not been frightened by the treatment they were subjected to.
“It is clear that Moschino would feel pain, fear, helplessness and frustration due to the positive punishment (yelling) and mistreatment. He did not retaliate at all and at no point did his behavior encourage the male to continue the abuse; he did not cause the animal to suffer or for the pain to continue for as long as described.” There was no reason why.”
Price, who is appealing his conviction, was also given 20 RAR (rehabilitation activity requirement) days and told to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work over the next 12 months. He was also ordered to pay £366 in costs and a £114 victim surcharge.
Two dogs under care RSPCA. A spokesman said: “Moschino was initially shy but with positive reinforcement training he improved and has become a firm favorite with staff. Snowy also loves his food and enjoys fuss and attention.”
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