Bristol man beat dog and fed it lager
A Bristol dog owner who beat his bull mastiff and fed it lager has been given community service.
Andrew Wilson, aged 30 of Ringwood Crescent, Southmead, pleaded guilty to beating and giving a dog alcohol when he appeared at Bristol Magistrates' Court on Monday.
He was sentenced to 150 hours of community service and banned from keeping warm blooded animals for one year, after an RSPCA prosecution.
Wilson has become the first person to be successfully charged under a section of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 which covers the administration of poisons or injurious drugs to a protected animal.
RSPCA inspector Alan Barnes was called out to rescue Bronx, a five year old Bull Mastiff cross who had been given two thirds of a can of Stella Artois, and been hit over the head.
He was taken straight to the RSPCA Bristol Dogs and Cats Home and seen by vet Mandy Stone.
Mandy said: "Bronx had a nasty cut on his head and was staggering around, looking confused and generally depressed, it wasn't until Wilson was questioned and admitted that he gave Bronx alcohol that I realised why.
"He had a dangerous amount of alcohol in his body and had Bronx been a smaller dog, may not have survived."
Wilson was arrested by police after the incident on June 5.
As well as his ban and community service, he will have to pay £500 in costs.
Mr Barnes said: "I'm glad Bristol Magistrates have taken this issue seriously.
"Giving alcohol to any animal is extremely dangerous and it took Bronx a long time to recover from the effects of the drink as well as the cut he received.
"He's recovered well from the ordeal, although still suffers from a bad skin condition that vets are currently trying to diagnose".
44 Comments
View all
by southmead, bristol
Wednesday, January 07 2009, 5:27PM
“some of you really do need to get a life, just because someone lives on a council estate in southmead doesnt mean that you automatically get given a free house and that you abuse your pets!!
I have lived here for the last few years and i own a rottie but would never dream of harming him i also manage to work aswell - who'd have thought it people in southmead actually working......yes it does happen!! this guys sentence is a complete joke!! he should have been given a lifetime ban from keeping any animal. i think it would be a very good idea to make people obtain a license before owning a dog and unless your dog has papers it should be spayed/neutered.”
by Anon, Bristol
Wednesday, January 07 2009, 12:48PM
“People who look after domestic animals like dogs and cats should have to obtain a license.
1 to confirm they are suitable to care for them.
2 To stop attacks happening.
3 To make sure they can afford to keep the animal and pay vet bills if necessary.
4 For breeding purposes and to prevent people from breeding continuous amounts of animals when there are so many who currently need a decent home.
You need a license to go fishing for goodness sake! Why not make licenses compulsory for others animal owners too?
I do want to get a dog in the future, when my children are a little bigger and would not mind having to obtain a license.... if it prevents idiots like this keeping an animal, then it is worth it.”
by david, perth western australia
Wednesday, January 07 2009, 12:46PM
“this scum bag should never be allowed to go anywhere near another dog, unless of course the dog bites him severely.as barbera woodhouse allways maintained that there are no bad dogs, but bad owners.non more so than this scum bag wilson.”
by Southmeader, Southmead
Wednesday, January 07 2009, 11:43AM
“A lot of people here seem to think that just because you live on a council estate, that you all live off the dole, own a rottie, bull mastiff or other chavish dog. I have lived on the estate all my 21 years and I have NEVER treated any animal this way. This idiot needs to be kept from keeping animals indefinatley. Oh, and yes there are people being killed in other parts of the world - but are YOU doing anything about that? NO! So, this is local news and I think its good that people know who this sick individual is. Don't tare everyone with the same brush people - I work for a living and pay my bills just like those of you who live in Clifton, Henleaze etc.”
by Heidi, Bristol
Wednesday, January 07 2009, 8:40AM
“I am very disapointed that this person only had a year ban from keeping animals! punishment does not match the crime.”