A man has been disqualified from keeping animals for at least 20 years after admitting beating his two pet dogs.
Barry Lyons from Hull appeared at the city’s magistrates’ court on Friday (13 July) where he pleased guilty to one animal welfare offence and admitted to failing to meet the needs of his two dogs.
Lyons admitted to verbally and physically abusing his two dogs – crossbreeds Buster and Marmite
RSPCA Inspector Jilly Dickinson, said: “Mr Lyons admitted frightening his dogs by shouting at them as well as slapping, punching and kicking the pair. The dogs must have been terrified that they were going to get into trouble or going to get a beating all the time.
“We took evidence from three witnesses who had all reported seeing Mr Lyons drunk attacking his dogs. They reported him kicking and hitting the dogs as well as throwing them onto the street outside his home. People had also reported hearing the dogs crying and loud bangs from inside the property.”
Both dogs were removed when the RSPCA investigation was launched in April and have been doing well in its care. The charity will now start to look for new homes for them.
Lyons was sentenced to an 18- week jail term, suspended for two years, and was disqualified from keeping animals for life and indefinite period – with a minimum of 20 years until he can apply for the ban to be lifted.
He was also ordered to complete a six-month alcohol treatment requirement, a 15-day rehabilitation activity requirement and ordered to pay £300 in costs and a £115 victim surcharge.
