A MAN caught on camera repeatedly mistreating his Jack Russell Terrier has been jailed.
Ben Pass, aged 46 and of Elmfield Avenue, Cheltenham, was sentenced to six weeks’ custody after pleading guilty to an animal welfare offence, following an investigation and prosecution by the RSPCA.
He has also been banned from keeping animals for 10 years.
CCTV footage and witness statements identified three occasions where Pass had mistreated his Jack Russell Terrier, Georgie, in Cheltenham.
On one occasion, he was seen throwing her out of a doorway onto the street while attached to her lead as witnessed by members of the public, who then reported seeing him throttling the dog.
On another occasion, he was seen motioning towards Georgie with a punching gesture as she limped on one of her legs.
In a separate incident, he was seen swinging the dog by her collar and lead.
Five eyewitnesses gave statements.
One witnessed the dog hanging from her lead off the ground and crying and the owner subsequently appearing to punch her.
Another reported seeing the dog being swung around by her neck with her feet off the ground and then being throttled.
Another individual described witnessing physical violence to the dog, while another described a lack of attention being paid to the dog and her being suspended in the air by her lead.
A final witness describes witnessing the dog being kicked.
Pass was not represented in court and gave no mitigation for his actions.
Alongside the prison sentence and the 10-year ban on keeping animals, he was also sentenced for unrelated CPS offences.
Georgie was signed over into the care of an animal charity for rehoming.
A vet who viewed footage of Georgie being mistreated said: “This series of physical attacks will have caused the dog unnecessary pain, especially around the neck when suspended in the air, and suffering.
“Vocalisation by the dog was reported on several occasions as an indicator of pain and suffering.
“It is also important to understand the considerable emotional stress on the dog from repeated acts of violence, both threatened and actual.
“There are no acceptable explanations for these repeated unprovoked attacks on the dog.
“They represent a sustained pattern of aggressive behaviour witnessed on multiple occasions towards a protected animal comprising both threatened and actual physical violence.”
RSPCA inspector Richard Carr, who investigated for the charity, said: “Every animal deserves kindness.
“Sadly, Georgie didn’t experience the care and kindness she deserved, but we were here for her and able to investigate and prosecute her owner.”
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