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".