Jail sentence for man who beat dog with a broom

A man who beat his dog with a broom - leading to the animal needing his leg amputated - has been jailed for two years after being prosecuted by the RSPCA.

Brian Hughes, from Bradford, was sentenced at Bradford Crown Court on Thursday 15 February after being found guilty at a trial last month.

During sentencing, the judge told Hughes he was "not fit to be near animals", and gave him an immediate prison sentence and a 15-year ban on keeping animals. The court heard that the dog - a German shepherd-type called Caesar - was taken to a vet by a member of the public on 8 September 2022, after he was found tied to a fence.

The vet who examined Caesar said in a statement presented to the court: "[The member of the public] worried that he [the dog]) was going to be killed if left with his owner. Caesar was carried into the surgery unable to walk. On arrival he was unable to stand, however, he could do so with support though he tired easily."

Due to concerns for his welfare, Caesar was handed over to the RSPCA, who began an investigation. A second vet examination confirmed that Caesar had a broken leg, which later had to be amputated.

The vet's statement said: "[Hughes] describes being bitten by the dog when trying to remove him from his bed, a sustained attack by the dog is described – during which the owner admits to having beaten the dog with a brush handle over the head and possibly the back, before then tying the dog to a gate. Blunt trauma such as that described would be a consistent finding with the injuries and bruising noted in the initial witness statement around the neck (from being tied to a gate forcefully) and being beaten with the broom on the body.

"The fracture and the significant amounts of fresh bruising present on both hind limbs would be consistent with a severe blunt force trauma – likely from 'in front' of the dog. The fractured limb has likely taken the main impact, with the other limb bruising a result of more minor contact from the same blow."

The vet confirmed the dog showed no signs of aggression in their care despite being in an unfamiliar environment. They added: "I would also suggest that it's very unlikely for this dog to have reacted in such an aggressive manner towards the owner solely as a result of being in pain when trying to be moved. Whilst in my care, in an unfamiliar veterinary environment, despite being in considerable pain and discomfort, the dog at no stage showed any signs of aggression, even upon manipulation and examination of the affected limb."

Inspector Jo Hartley, who investigated for the RSPCA, said: "Caesar was in a bad way when he arrived in our care and he had been so badly injured that he needed his leg amputated. Thankfully, he has made an amazing recovery and has been happily rehomed.

"We're really grateful to everyone who helped in our investigation. Caesar has now got a second chance at life and he is a happy boy now."