A police officer who repeatedly punched a puppy with brutal force when the little dog defecated in his house has been sacked. After the attack, the puppy could be heard crying in pain and unable to get to its feet
Video emerged of Sgt Martin Dunn, who worked in Greater Manchester Police's specialist operations branch, attacking the five-month-old springer spaniel in March 2021.
Harrowing footage of the attack was played to Leeds Magistrates' Court in April 2021 and Dunn was heard to shout: "You little b***ard!"
The footage was also shared online and reported to the force.
A vet told the court in a report that when he shouted at Frank, the puppy reacted in "extreme fear."
Dunn admitted gross misconduct at an independent disciplinary hearing on Tuesday and was dismissed without notice.
:upvote: :upvote: :upvote: :upvote: :upvote: :upvote: :upvote: :upvote: :upvote: :upvote: :upvote:
https://uk-database.org/2023/05/12/martin-dunn-meltham/
Bit stupid to film it! Do police recruits have to pass a stupid test these days?
I HATE people who Ill treat animals :angry: but especially puppies. In a fair and just court the sentence would and always should be, a dose of whatever they dished out to the poor animal. :waiting:
That isn't the sort of person the police should be employing. There is something definitely wrong with people who can behave in that way. Good to hear they booted him out.
Quote from: Raven on May 13, 2023, 09:17:50 PMI HATE people who Ill treat animals :angry: but especially puppies. In a fair and just court the sentence would and always should be, a dose of whatever they dished out to the poor animal. :waiting:
Hear, hear - bloody swine
Why only a 5 year ban from keeping animals?
should have been a life ban
What a bastard.. This makes me want to cry.. I hope his face is posted all over the place.. I hope someone beats him up.. I also hope that his family, friends and neighbours hate him...
I hope a dangerous dog goes for his throat..
That is how much I hate him..
Quote from: Scrumpy on May 14, 2023, 09:05:46 AMWhat a bastard.. This makes me want to cry.. I hope his face is posted all over the place.. I hope someone beats him up.. I also hope that his family, friends and neighbours hate him...
I hope a dangerous dog goes for his throat..
That is how much I hate him..
Exactly, loathsome brute should have had jail time. Why are the courts so easy on animal abusers? CASSANDRA?
far, too easily on animal abusers, and for that matter, child abusers
It was appalling to watch ... over and above most cruelty cases. The courts are never ever tough enough.
It's the only time the media is a useful tool ... soneone, somewhere will know him and nail him.
The current sentencing guideline for animal cruelty, applies to offences contrary to the following sections of the Animal Welfare Act 2006: section 4 (causing unnecessary suffering), section 8 (involvement in an animal fight) and section 9 (breach of duty of person responsible for animal to ensure welfare).
These guidelines were last revised in 2017 and until 2021, the offences it covered were summary only, triable in magistrates' courts and subject to a maximum penalty therefore of only 6 months' in custody at the maximum!
In 2021, Parliament passed the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act, which increased the maximum sentence for specific offences under the 2006 Act from six months to five years' custody and made these 'either way offences', meaning they could be heard in magistrates' courts or the Crown Court.
Following the 2021 Act and the increase in maximum penalties, the Council issued interim guidance for sentencing offences committed on or after 29 June 2021. The following offences were impacted by the change:
Causing unnecessary suffering (section 4, Animal Welfare Act 2006);
Carrying out a non-exempted mutilation (section 5, Animal Welfare Act 2006);
Docking the tail of a dog except where permitted (section 6(1) and 6(2), Animal Welfare Act 2006);
Administering a poison to an animal (section 7, Animal Welfare Act 2006); and
Involvement in an animal fight (section 8, Animal Welfare Act 2006).
Sentencing guidelines must be followed, unless the court is satisfied that it would be contrary to the interest of justice to do so in all the circumstances of a particular case.
The Sentencing Council was established by Parliament to be an independent body, but accountable to Parliament for its work which is scrutinised by the Justice Select Committee.
As regards this disgusting ex Police Officer's attitude to a tiny dependent creature specifically: lets say he'd received say a 6 month custodial sentence.
Immediately an appeal would be launched in mitigation, claiming it was a first offence,
No permanent physical injury to the tiny dog was proven,
He was probably convicted under section 9 (breach of duty of person responsible for animal to ensure welfare), a lower offence and also section 4 (causing unnecessary suffering). and therefore to avoid an appeal given an 'entry level' sentence.
Sentencing guidelines (as above referred) are issued to judges upon legislative changes and are treated differently, according to the perception of the individual judiciary applying them.
To me, there should be no upper limit on sentencing for Animal Cruelty and its profile should be elevated considerably. The legislation which extends to Wild Life offences such as 'Livestock Worrying' and 'Banned Dogs' etc etc as a Crime, is extensive but rarely are maximum sentences issued, across the overall classification of consideration. In my opinion we have an overall responsibility for the care of creatures, just as we do each other.
Thankfully, this vile man has been released as a Police Officer (well done) and hopefully will find employment elsewhere difficult to achieve this side of China! He should never be allowed to own an animal again and I would have given him a lifetime ban to this end.
In my day, because these offences were for the 'lower courts' only (Magistrates) see above, I never heard any as a beak, but did prosecute them in my younger days, many times 'Pro bono' (no charges) much to the chagrin of my father, who was head of chambers!
Defence lawyers always attempt to circumnavigate Magistrates or today now (post '21) Judges, known to be animal lovers for hearing these type of offences and the establishment too, fearing the costs of an appeal, rarely let them arbitrate such cases.
Thats the way the law in reality is administered in the UK today and explains the reasoning for insufficient sentencing over the broad spectrum of prosecution ...
thanks for that, Cassndra.
Yes Thanks for explaining Cass, :upvote: Wasn't having a go at you personally, it's just a subject that puts me on my high horse, and I don't mean the Clydesdales. :wink:
Thanks Cassandra.
Thanks for the detailed explanation Cass.
I agree that the grading this type of offence could do with reconsidering. Anybody capable of this sort of cruelty must surely have a personality defect which could make them a danger to the public at large as well as animals.
good point
We could do with a few more Cassandras sitting in our courts.
A ramble.......
I remember coming home from school one day, I must have been about 13 or 14, to see the obnoxious kid from over the road holding my cat by the neck and trying to push her head down a grid ! I've never forgotten it, satchel thrown to the floor, I grabbed the little shit punched him and pushed him to the floor. I should have given him a battering but I was too concerned about my cat ! I got told off by his Mum because he was a lot younger than me. Was I bovvered ? :angry:
Quote from: Alex on May 15, 2023, 12:26:17 PMWe could do with a few more Cassandras sitting in our courts.
A ramble.......
I remember coming home from school one day, I must have been about 13 or 14, to see the obnoxious kid from over the road holding my cat by the neck and trying to push her head down a grid ! I've never forgotten it, satchel thrown to the floor, I grabbed the little shit punched him and pushed him to the floor. I should have given him a battering but I was too concerned about my cat ! I got told off by his Mum because he was a lot younger than me. Was I bovvered ? :angry:
Well done!
The best cure for bullying:
A bigger child to give the little bully a good hiding.
works for me
Works for me too, I'd have belted him till he screamed for mercy, :yell: but then I was the Highland Wild Child. Then if his parents had complained to my dad they would have got a roasting too as he was an animal lover like me. :nooo:
Quote from: Raven on May 15, 2023, 06:24:40 AMYes Thanks for explaining Cass, :upvote: Wasn't having a go at you personally, it's just a subject that puts me on my high horse, and I don't mean the Clydesdales. :wink:
Raven, I understood and was glad to help with ratification which looking back seems a bit long but does I think help to explain the process, at least I hope so
I thought of you watching those magnificent creatures at the Coronation by the way. A thought provoking incident yesterday, I stumbled on the ground when leading Dixie through the woods and was experiencing difficulty arising with nothing nearby to grasp onto. Next thing she was snuffling round my neck and then actually let me lean on her nose while she gently elevated me up to my feet. Did she know what she was doing? I like to think so. A wonderful little creature by the way, whose become very special to me.
Quote from: Cassandra on May 15, 2023, 07:04:00 PMA thought provoking incident yesterday, I stumbled on the ground when leading Dixie through the woods and was experiencing difficulty arising with nothing nearby to grasp onto. Next thing she was snuffling round my neck and then actually let me lean on her nose while she gently elevated me up to my feet. Did she know what she was doing? I like to think so. A wonderful little creature by the way, whose become very special to me.
She knew Cass for sure, what a star ! :upvote:
Was her previous owner an alcoholic? She might just be used to helping stumbling wino's back to their feet 😬
I'm sure she knew you needed help, they bond very deeply with an owner they come to love. They pick up on our needs very quickly.
When I walk the woods I have to be very careful as I'm excellent at tripping over raised tree roots if I go off the main path. Not that I'll be doing that for a good while.
I hope your alright.
Some animals are smarter than humans.. and a lot nicer..
They accept us for what we are.. however ugly.. money doesn't come into it..
Quote from: Raven on May 15, 2023, 10:23:05 PMI'm sure she knew you needed help, they bond very deeply with an owner they come to love. They pick up on our needs very quickly.
When I walk the woods I have to be very careful as I'm excellent at tripping over raised tree roots if I go off the main path. Not that I'll be doing that for a good while.
I hope your alright.
Thank you I'm fine it was just a stumble over a rather gnarled root of one of the pines. If the stable doors left open and the gate to the house likewise, she trips up to the 'stable' (half gate) back door and sticks her head through to see me. I've never had much to do with horses directly until I came here, apart from always having a great natural affection for them. As you know. they're such wonderful creatures to be around and I look forward to my daily excursions with them. The 'little one' is such fun to watch grow up and he's very mischievous too, loves getting hold of the back of my jacket and giving it a playful tug, then running off hopping and grumping!
Lovely!