Man who abused puppy was caught on doorbell camera

A man who was filmed on a neighbour's doorbell camera inflicting "inexcusable" abuse on a puppy has been banned from keeping dogs for 10 years.

Jonathan Oldham, 23, of no fixed address but previously of Northwich, Cheshire, held 12-week-old Zena by the scruff of the neck before hurling the pet along a corridor in June, the RSPCA said.

The animal charity described the Presa Canario's yelps off camera, following three "loud thuds", as "heartbreaking".

Oldham, who pleaded guilty at Chester Magistrates' Court, was also fined £160 and ordered to pay £1,000 costs and a victim surcharge of £64.

Oldham admitted an offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 of not meeting Zena's needs, by failing to avoid using "inappropriately harsh, potentially painful and frightening handling, control, training or disciplinary measures".

The RSPCA said Zena had been removed from the flat on Wallerscote Close, Weaverham, by a friend of Oldham's partner before the animal charity could take her into care but she was later taken to a vet.

Animal rescue officer Scarlet Sanderson had been following up reports the dog was being neglected when she saw the footage of Oldham carrying the dog by the scruff of the neck.

"He then threw the puppy very hard further into the corridor, out of shot," she said.

He went over to the animal, she said, and "then loud thuds were heard and the puppy was yelping and crying in pain".

She added: "He came back into shot, carrying the puppy by the scruff of the neck again and threw it back inside the flat."

Ms Sanderson said there had been reports of the puppy "crying out and yelping daily" as well as "lots of shouting and thuds".

She went to the flat and could see Zena through a window "looking rather sombre and lifeless", unlike other young puppies.

"After a while of me talking to the puppy through the window, I managed to get a small tail wag and for them to stand up to get a better look at me," she said.

"I could not see any sign of injury but they were reluctant to move."

Speaking after Oldham was sentenced, Ms Sanderson said: "The cries from this poor puppy, which were caught on the video, were absolutely heartbreaking.

"The vet who examined the footage said they reflected real fear and distress of the kind no animal should have to endure.

"It is totally inexcusable to treat a dog in this way."

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