Man banned from keeping animals for five years

A MAN from Kingskerswell has been banned from keeping animals for five years after he was convicted of physically abusing and intimidating his father’s cocker spaniel Brandy.

Adam Lawford, 41, of Lyn Grove, was sentenced at Exeter Magistrates’ Court after he was found guilty of one animal welfare offence following an RSPCA investigation.

The court heard how the RSPCA was contacted by police regarding an incident in Kingskerswell where a man had been seen by various members of the public beating a young cocker spaniel when out for a walk in April last year.

Multiple witnesses immediately reported their concerns to the police.

They said they saw the spaniel, Brandy, try to break free and run between parked cars and a shirtless man proceeded to grab him and shake him.

They also claimed the man slammed Brandy into the pavement from a height and that he was slumped over his shoulder afterwards as though he was 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”.

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 that 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 that Brandy had mild abrasions to his chin and upper lip and moderate bruising on his abdomen as well as 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.’

In mitigation, Lawford did not accept the conviction and 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.

As well as being disqualified from keeping all animals for five years - which he cannot appeal for at least three years - Lawford was sentenced to a two-year community order and probation requirement.

He was also given an alcohol abstinence monitoring requirement for 120 days and ordered to pay a £360 fine. He was also ordered to pay 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.

Sarah Morris, RSPCA Inspector, who assisted with the case, said: ‘There is absolutely no excuse for treating any animal in this way.

‘Brandy must have 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.’