Grandfather admits kicking dying dog
A grandfather has admitted to magistrates that he kicked a bull mastiff as it lay dying after it plunged from the 11th floor of a tower block.
A grandfather has admitted to magistrates that he kicked a bull mastiff as it lay dying after it plunged from the 11th floor of a tower block.
Birmingham Magistrates Court yesterday heard Carl Race, formerly of Aldridge, struck the one-year-old dog moments before it died outside Barn House, in Ward End, Birmingham, in July last year because it had bitten his pregnant daughter.
He pleaded guilty to one charge of causing unnecessary suffering to the male bull mastiff known as Louis. A separate charge of causing unnecessary suffering by throwing the dog over the balcony was dismissed by magistrates due to lack of evidence.
Mr Nick Sutton, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, told the court the animal was owned by the defendant's daughter Carly and her partner who lived on the top floor of the 11-storey building.
He said the dog suffered leg fractures, a ruptured spleen and its liver was damaged as result of the fall. It died minutes later from its injuries.
He told the court a witness, Richard Jones, who also lived in Barn House on a lower floor was standing on his balcony smoking when he noticed a "heavy object" fall pass him.
Mr Sutton said the dog bounced due to the force with which it had hit the ground. He said the dog was known to be "pleasant and friendly".
He told the court as Mr Jones raced to the ground floor to check the dog his girlfriend Stacey Coates peered over the balcony and saw Race, formerly of Croft House, Rookery Lane, Aldridge, kick Louis in its face.
"She saw the defendant exit from the door at the bottom of the flats," he said. "She knows the defendant and the family.
"He went for the dog and kicked him in the face. The couple were so disturbed by this they called the police."
He said the dog was still breathing when Race, 42, now of Shannon Road, Kings Norton, kicked it. Mr Sutton added: "This dog was dying. He was lying on the ground and breathing in a shallow way. This defendant would have known the animal was in a bad way."
He asked the magistrates to exercise their right to ban Race from keeping animals.
Mr Benedict Galletti, defending, told the court Race's daughter Carly was giving birth in hospital at the time. He said there had previously been an incident between her and her partner and the dog bit her.
Mr Galletti told the court his client was remorseful over his actions.
"He accepts his behaviour was completely unacceptable," he said.
The case was adjourned until May 12 for reports.