Man jailed for beating dog

Photo / supplied

An Auckland man who beat a dog so badly it lost an eye and several teeth has been sent to prison for six months.

Maxwel Johnson of Mangere was sentenced today in Manukau District Court for the beating he meted out to Boy, a 1-year-old dog.

the court was told Johnson hit the dog with his fists and with a fishing rod in the backyard of a house at Mangere in June, 2012.

The dog lost an eye, several teeth, and suffered a broken jaw.

"When SPCA Auckland inspectors interviewed him under caution a few days later, he admitted the beating," says SPCA Auckland chief inspector Nick Thomason.

"He said he beat the dog on purpose knowing it would injure the dog and cause pain and distress. He said he did it to teach him a lesson. He also stated that the dog was screaming throughout the assault, and further admitted a history of hitting and kicking Boy."

Acting on a complaint received from a member of the public, Boy, a brindled bull terrier cross, was found chained to a kennel. There was a serious injury to the dog's left eye and a large amount of swelling over the left upper jaw area. The dog was drooling bloody fluid, was slow and stiff at standing, and was limping on his front right leg.

The dog was seized and taken to the SPCA. Due to the severity of his injuries his eye was surgically removed the next day, along with five severely damaged teeth.

Johnson pleaded guilty to the wilful ill-treatment of an animal under Section 28(1a) of Animal Welfare Act 1999. He was sentenced to six months' imprisonment, disqualified from owning pets for 10 years, and ordered to pay reparation of $4331.75.

SPCA executive director Bob Kerridge said the jail term reflected the severity of the crime Johnson committed.

"Such a severe and deliberate beating of a defenceless animal is inexcusable," he said.

"Such unprovoked attacks can lead to more serious offences against people, including children. Crimes of violence like this need to be severely dealt with. The term of imprisonment imposed by the judge will provide time for Johnson to reflect on his cruel deed, and will send a message to others that animal cruelty is a crime."