A cruel thug who was captured on closed-circuit television punching, kicking, and slapping his dog eight times has been prohibited from keeping animals for life. Mason Sestanovich viciously beat his XL Bully, named Chicago, in a disgusting attack, leaving the dog cowering in the hallway of a block of flats in Sheffield.
Brutal Attack Captured on Camera
The harrowing footage showed the 24-year-old violently assaulting the dog for nearly a minute on October 4, 2023. Sestanovich kicked and slapped Chicago, causing her to wince and attempt to hide. He then lifted her by her collar, suspending her in the air before striking her five more times. The dog was in such pain and fear during the beating that she defecated as the thug walked away at the end of the 52-second video. Unbelievably, the loyal dog still followed its owner.
Investigation and Court Proceedings
The RSPCA launched an investigation after a horrified housing manager viewed the footage and sent it to the charity. An RSPCA officer visited the flat in Hyde Park Terrace and discovered the dog was kept in a crate without food or water. Sestanovich, from Wincobank, Sheffield, admitted to inflicting blunt force trauma, physical violence, and intimidatory behaviour on the canine under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
At Sheffield Magistrates' Court on May 1, the thug narrowly avoided jail. He received a 16-week prison sentence suspended for a year, 100 hours of unpaid work, and a lifetime ban from keeping animals. He was also ordered to pay £400 in court costs and a £154 victim surcharge.
Expert Testimony and Aftermath
A clinical behaviourist at the RSPCA stated: 'Chicago was grabbed roughly and beaten, and the dog's body language expressed extreme fear. The violence of the man's gestures indicates the blows were delivered with extreme violence and caused pain.' Blood tests from a veterinary examination revealed the dog had suffered stress, likely from the beating. The veterinarian who examined Chicago noted: 'During the beating on the footage, it was obvious the dog was scared as she was cowering and defecating.'
Sestanovich claimed Chicago was an XL Bully but refused to hand the canine over to the RSPCA or register her, as required by law. Chicago was assessed at a rehoming centre, but due to current government legislation on XL Bullies, she was euthanised. The court was told Sestanovich regretted his actions and was ashamed of his behaviour.
