A Gateshead man who beat a Staffordshire bull terrier with a metal lead has been banned from keeping dogs for a decade.
Mark Brown, 24, of no fixed abode, admitted causing unnecessary suffering to the brindle and white dog called Rocco after being arrested by police.
South Tyneside Magistrates' Court heard how the RSPCA received a 37 second long clip in November last year. It showed Rocco cowering with his head lowered and looking up to Brown, who took the end of a metal lead and hit him repeatedly on his back and head.
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Brown, who called himself Defty in court, did this eight times over a period of around ten seconds. Rocco was cowering the whole time and flinched every time he was hit.
The offence took place in the vicinity of Marion Court in Gateshead, on November 3 last year.
The court in South Shields heard how a vet examined Rocco and fortunately didn’t find signs of recent injury - but confirmed the dog had been caused to suffer fear and pain.
In an independent expert veterinary report, which was presented to the court, the vet stated: "His fear was likely to have been a repeated state on previous occasions when this person was with Rocco as he immediately submitted to his attacker and attempted to flee."
Police took Rocco into their possession and handed him into the RSPCA's care where he has remained throughout the legal proceedings. The court heard, in Brown's defence, how Rocco was vicious and had tried to turn to attack the defendant and that’s why he slapped him.
On Tuesday, Brown was sentenced to an 18 month community order with 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days.
He was disqualified from keeping dogs for 10 years and will not be able to contest the ban for five years.
The RSPCA now hopes Rocco will be rehomed to a loving new family in due course.
Inspector Kirsty Keogh-Laws investigated the case for the animal welfare charity. Following the hearing, she said: "This was a vicious attack on a young defenceless animal who had been in Brown’s care.
"It is completely unacceptable to treat any animal in this way and we will always look into reports of animal cruelty and, where necessary, seek justice for that animal."
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