Jailed: Oldbury man kicked and stamped on pet dog in lift

Shahzeeb Shazad Khan, from Hartlebury Road, Oldbury, appeared at Birmingham Magistrates Court on where he pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to eight-month-old Presa Canario called Rico.

The court heard that the RSPCA were contacted by West Midlands Police on December 10, 2019, after CCTV cameras in a lift of an apartment building captured video footage of a man kicking a dog that morning.

RSPCA inspector Claire Davey, who led the investigation, said: "In the footage, a large brindle-coloured dog enters the lift followed closely behind by Mr Khan.

"The dog looks nervous and cowers in the corner of the lift before he launches a violent attack on him, kicking and stamping on his head twice.

“There is a puddle of urine on the floor of the lift that wasn’t there before the attack. Poor Rico was so frightened that he wet himself.

“The man then attaches a lead to Rico’s harness and yanks at him to move him to the other side of the lift. He scurries over to the doors and continues to cower on the ground.

"As the doors open, the dog scuttles out nervously before they disappear from the shot.”

West Midlands Police seized Rico and he was checked over by vets who didn't find any injuries. Vets viewed the CCTV footage and concluded that the attack was "aggressive" and that Khan had demonstrated a "barbaric use of force".

On Wednesday, 25-year-old Khan pleaded guilty and was sentenced to eight weeks in prison. He was ordered to pay a £123 victim surcharge and he was also disqualified from keeping all animals for life.

The court removed Rico from his ownership meaning the RSPCA can now seek him a new home.

Inspector Davey added: “After spending a year in our care, Rico can now find a wonderful new home.

"All of the staff who have been taking care of him are so thrilled that this Christmas is looking so much brighter for this lovely lad.”