A Devon man has been banned from keeping animals for five years after he was witnessed beating his father's cocker spaniel in the street and attempting to put the dog in a bin.
Adam Lawford, 41, of Lyn Grove, Kingskerswell, was found guilty of one animal welfare offence following an RSPCA investigation. The incident took place last April while Lawford was walking the dog, named Brandy.
Witnesses report the attack
Multiple witnesses reported their concerns to the police immediately, Exeter Magistrates' Court heard. They said they saw the spaniel try to break free and run between parked cars, and a shirtless man proceeded to grab him and shake him.
The witnesses also claimed the man slammed Brandy into the pavement from a height, and that the dog was slumped over his shoulder afterwards, as though unconscious, as the man carried him through the streets. CCTV footage along the walking route confirmed these sightings.
Eyewitness reports said that Lawford picked Brandy up by his back legs and tried to put the motionless pet in a recycling bin. Passers-by who tried to intervene were reportedly sworn at and told to 'get back in their car' whilst Brandy appeared to be "scared stiff".
Vet examination findings
Lawford was then stopped by police, and Brandy was handed over and taken to a vet, at which point the RSPCA was contacted to investigate. Inspector Jim Farr, who investigated for the RSPCA, collected the dog from the vets, where he had undergone a full examination.
The court heard the 11-month-old spaniel was very timid, which indicated his mental distress, as he generally had a very sweet temperament throughout his stay with the vets. The vet report also found Brandy had mild abrasions to his chin and upper lip, moderate bruising on his abdomen, and a wound to his head and right ear. All the injuries appeared to be less than 24 hours old, so likely to have occurred during the witnessed incident.
The vet report further stated: "Although Brandy sustained minor physical injuries from his experience, he was not protected from suffering as defined by the Animal Welfare Act. He suffered both physical trauma (evident in his injuries) and mental trauma shown by his timidness in an otherwise sweet-natured dog."
Sentencing and outcome
In mitigation, Lawford did not accept the conviction, denied any wrongdoing towards the dog, and said the witnesses were making up the claims. In sentencing remarks, District Judge Smith said he acknowledged that Lawford did not accept the negative judicial comments relating to the conviction, but the judge was satisfied by the witness evidence and CCTV. He described it as an "appalling offence" in which Lawford dragged and beat the dog and tried to put him in a bin.
Lawford was disqualified from keeping all animals for five years, which he cannot appeal for at least three years. He was also sentenced to a two-year community order and probation requirement, given an alcohol abstinence monitoring requirement for 120 days, and ordered to pay a £360 fine, further costs of £700, and a £144 victim surcharge.
Brandy was signed over into the RSPCA's care by his owner, Lawford's father. The dog was cared for by the charity before being rehomed. RSPCA inspector Sarah Morris, who assisted with the case, said: "There is absolutely no excuse for treating any animal in this way. Brandy must've been scared and incredibly distressed during this ordeal. And the various passersby who witnessed it were also very upset by what they had seen.
"Thankfully, after everything Brandy has been through, he is now recovered and in a loving new home."
