A thug has been handed a nine-year ban from keeping animals after he was caught on CCTV repeatedly stamping on a cowering bulldog's head. Leslie Hill, 61, was captured on CCTV violently attacking his brown-and-white dog Darcy at his home in Bermondsey, south London, in September last year.
The Attack
Footage shows Hill mercilessly charging at the innocent dog and stamping on it, causing Darcy to cower and let out high-pitched yelps as Hill enters his house. He then steps over the bulldog, which seemingly stays lying outside on his doorstep. In a separate clip, on a separate occasion, Darcy is seen recoiling in fear into a corner as the thug approaches down the corridor. Hill proceeds to stamp on his victim's head, who is wearing a lead, twice as it squeals with each crushing of his foot. The cowering dog looks away from him, keeping its nose crushed into the door's cracks, as the animal abuser then attempts to open the door.
Court Proceedings
Hill pleaded guilty on May 21 to failing to fulfil his duties as a person responsible for an animal, namely subjecting Darcy to physical abuse, under the Animal Welfare Act at Croydon Magistrates' Court. He was banned from keeping animals for nine years and fined £200, plus a victim surcharge of £114 and prosecution costs of £85, all of which the court ordered to be deducted from his benefits. Hill was also ordered to complete 20 days of rehabilitation activities.
RSPCA Involvement
Darcy was formally removed from his ownership after the private prosecution was brought against Hill by the RSPCA, sparked after they received the footage of the abuse. RSPCA Inspector Jade Guthrie added: 'Animals feel pain and distress just like we do and always deserve to be shown kindness and compassion. Sadly, Darcy, who is now in the care of the RSPCA, was denied this, but we hope this result serves as a warning that such behaviour will not be tolerated.'
