Moment vile dog owner assaults puppy is revealed as judge imposes ban

WARNING: DISTRESSING FOOTAGE

This is the shocking moment a dog owner was captured on a Ring camera carrying out a series of vile assaults on his pet which left it 'whimpering in fear and pain' as a judge imposed a ban on him keeping any animals for five years.

Four separate videos show cruel Aaron Gowland's attacks on a brown and white crossbreed puppy called Kinder.

He repeatedly asks the cowering dog to stop and then growls 'Do you understand?' before slapping the crying pooch and then hurling it between his legs.

A person was so horrified when they saw the footage they sent it to the RSPCA's national call centre.

They showed how the defendant's behaviour left the pet whimpering and crying at the flat where he used to live in Cowley, Uxbridge, during April this year.

Gowland, 31, now of Accrington, pleaded guilty to one offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 of causing unnecessary suffering to the dog by inflicting trauma on the animal.

As well as being banned from keeping any type of animals for five years, the defendant received an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, when he appeared at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court on November 15.

As part of his suspended sentence order he has to complete 200 hours of unpaid work.

RSPCA Inspector Nicole Broster interviewed Gowland about the videos, one of which showed the defendant striking the young dog with his hand and the handle of his lead around eight times.

He also was shown shaking the puppy with both hands as he held it aloft.

Another video showed the defendant shaking and striking the canine while raising his voice and telling him 'Are you just going to be this awkward all of your life?'

In one of the videos the dog was pulled forcibly by his lead several times causing him to yelp and was then pulled so hard that three of his legs were dangling off the ground.

The defendant agreed to sign Kinder over into the care of the the RSPCA when Animal Rescue Officer Holly Walker attended the defendant's home on April 17.

Kinder was taken to RSPCA Finsbury Park Animal Hospital to be checked over and while a medical examination did not find he suffered any injuries as a result of the attacks, a vet said in his report: 'This handling was not appropriate.

'Striking an animal, pulling it by an extendable lead and shaking it can cause pain and distress and risk of injury.

'Kinder displayed fearful behaviour as his tail was between his legs and his back was cowered.

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'It cannot be ruled out that pain and fear were inflicted on the dog.

'The defendant spoke to the dog with a raised voice and used negative training techniques in an attempt to control and reprimand a dog who was likely to be less than six/seven months old at the time.'

The court was told the defendant was 'very ashamed and full of regret and remorse' and it was said his behaviour was out of character.

Gowland was told to pay a total of £2,496.08, a sum made up of court costs of £400, all of the charity's legal costs of £1,942.08 and a victim surcharge of £154.

Speaking after the sentencing, Inspector Broster said: 'The defendant left this poor puppy whimpering in fear and pain because of his aggressive and cruel behaviour.

'He showed a complete disregard for the welfare of the dog, who thankfully escaped injury during this ordeal at the hands of his owner.

'After spending time in RSPCA foster care, Kinder has now been rehomed by one of the RSPCA's inspectors who has taken Kinder into his own home where he is thriving.

'He is being truly loved and cared for and I couldn't have wished for a better new home for him.'