A MAN who fatally injured a dog by kicking it up the backside has been banned from having animals for the next five years – and ordered to carry out community service.
Gareth Roulson, aged 19, of Winn Drive, Winn Gardens, Sheffield, admitted causing unnecessary suffering to Diesel the dog by kicking it after it nipped him on the nose.
When District Judge Mark Hadfield tried to sentence Roulson – who has previous
convictions for affray, racially aggravated threatening behaviour, battery, criminal damage and shoplifting – he argued back.
"Clearly, it's a very serious offence," said Mr Hadfield. "As a result of your actions the dog suffered injuries which proved fatal. You simply lost your temper for no proper reason when there was no danger."
But Roulson interrupted defiantly: "How can you say that when he bit me?"
Mr Hadfield warned Roulson – who also has previous convictions for breaching court orders – he must comply with his sentence of 80 hours' community service and 12 months' supervision by the probation service.
"Failure to comply raises the real possibility of you being sent into custody," Mr Hadfield said. "Do as you are told and behave properly."
Roulson, who was not seriously injured by the bite, was ordered to pay £567, at a rate of £25 a week, towards the costs of the prosecution and RSPCA investigation.
The shift worker, who also owes £920 in previous fines, was told bailiffs would be sent round if he did not pay.
The court heard Roulson kicked Diesel at the home of his cousin Stacey Harrison, on Manor Oaks Road, Wybourn, last October.
He was babysitting while Mrs Harrison and her estranged husband Ian went for an evening out.
Roulson said one of the children opened the door to the kitchen, where there was a cat, and Diesel had gone inside. He followed and tried to pick up the dog but it bit him, so he dropped the creature and kicked it once.
The defendant, who represented himself in court, told police he was wearing socks, but no shoes, at the time.
But an RSPCA vet said the dog was a well-built, muscular, breed and its injury – a ruptured bladder – was something usually suffered in road collisions.
Diesel could have survived if treated quickly, the court heard. But Ian Harrison, his owner, did not call for help because he did not want to pay the call-out fee. He only took Diesel to free veterinary service the PDSA when he had collapsed and been sick three days later but, by then, it was too late.
Ian Harrison, 26, who lives in Berkshire, failed to appear for sentence after admitting cruelty, claiming he could not afford the train fare.
Mr Hadfield issued a warrant for Harrison's arrest.
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