A man who was filmed kicking, stamping and punching a dog in a lift at a block of flats has been banned from owning animals for five years.
Cameron Brunning was prosecuted by the RSPCA after CCTV cameras in the lift at the flats in St. Cuthbert’s Court, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, captured his violent attacks on his Old Tyme bulldog, called Biscuit.
In the film the defendant was seen committing a series of assaults, which left the dog in a state of terror. They included aiming kicks and punches at the animal as well as holding her by the throat up against a mirror in the lift and then dropping her.
Brunning of St. Cuthbert’s Court, Gateshead, pleaded guilty to two offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. He admitted causing unnecessary suffering to the bulldog by inflicting physical and mental abuse as well as an offence of failing to meet the needs of the dog. He was sentenced at Gateshead Magistrates’ Court on July 17 when as well as the disqualification he received a 12-month community order under which he is required to complete 20 Rehabilitation Activity (RAR) days.
RSPCA Inspector Keogh-Laws said in a statement presented to the court that she attended at the flats where the concierge showed the video footage which captured multiple attacks on the dog stretching over a period of nearly a month between September and October 2023.
“The defendant can be seen kicking the dog throughout the videos, stamping on her head and legs with force and punching her in her face,” said the inspector.
“He is seen picking her up and slamming her to the ground where she lands on her back. In one clip he picks the dog up and holds her up against the mirror of the lift by her throat. He holds her around three feet off the ground for around 10 seconds and then drops her to the floor.
“His body language is aggressive and he is right in the dog’s face pointing. In another clip he pins the dog in the corner of the lift. The dog looks terrified and she cowers and tries to move away to the furthest corner of the lift.
“The dog didn’t appear to be doing anything leading up to or during the beatings which were completely unprovoked.”
The RSPCA inspector, accompanied by two police officers, attended at Brunning’s flat on October 11, 2023 and identified the defendant from the CCTV. The bulldog who was in the sitting room was seized and taken into RSPCA care.
Inspector Keogh-Laws said that during the visit, Brunning told the officers that “he needed to teach the dog how to behave”
Biscuit was examined by a vet who said the dog had suffered for at least four weeks. The vet said that although the dog was clinically healthy there were minor health concerns about her eyes and ears and blood tests showed raised levels of an enzyme, which could have been linked to muscle trauma.
“Given the dog’s demeanour of shying away from touch, along with the CCTV footage of her being beaten and the blood results suggesting muscle damage it is evident that she has suffered from physical abuse that has taken a mental toll on her as well,” said the vet.
“Although the impact of this was not obviously evident on the clinical exam the emotional and mental strain on this animal is significant.”
In mitigation, the court was told that Brunning suffered from mental health issues.
The court also made a deprivation order in relation to the dog against the defendant, who was told to pay a contribution to court costs of £200 and a victim surcharge of £114.
Biscuit, who is two years of age, has thrived in the care of the RSPCA, which has included time spent at RSPCA Felledge Animal Centre. Now the charity will look to find a loving new home for her.
Speaking after the sentencing, Inspector Keogh-Laws said: “Biscuit was subjected to vicious, violent assaults over a prolonged period. The only reason this defendant’s horrendous treatment of his pet was discovered was that the flat’s concierge was examining the CCTV footage from the lift to try and identify someone who was coming into the building without a fob.
“It was pure luck that the CCTV was scrutinised and we were able to prosecute Brunning for his appalling behaviour. We wouldn’t have known otherwise as the defendant wasn’t on our radar. Now Biscuit can look forward to a new life with a new owner. She is a really nice dog who settled well in our kennels and she will make someone a lovely pet.”
