By Adam Dutton via SWNS
A cruel thug who stamped on and kicked his puppy and held it up by its throat has been banned from keeping animals.
Cameron Brunning, 22, was caught brutally attacking his two-year-old bulldog after CCTV in the lift at his flat block captured the animal cruelty.
The thug could be seen aiming kicks at the defenseless dog, named Biscuit, as she cowered in the corner of the lift.
The shocking footage shows Brunning, from St. Cuthbert’s Court, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, dragging the Old Tyme bulldog aggressively by her lead.
Once in the lift he proceeds to stamp on her head and kick her before shouting at her.
In another clip he can be seen picking the dog up by her throat and dangling her in front of the mirror for around ten seconds before dropping her.
The bully claimed “he needed to teach the dog how to behave” when quizzed by RSPCA investigators, who found Biscuit was scared of being petted.
Appearing at Gateshead Magistrates’ Court, Brunning pleaded guilty to two offenses under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
He admitted causing unnecessary suffering to the bulldog by inflicting physical and mental abuse as well as an offense of failing to meet the needs of the dog.
He was sentenced on July 17 where he was banned from keeping animals for five years and received a 12-month community order under which he is required to complete 20 Rehabilitation Activity days.
An RSPCA investigator attended Brunning’s flat, accompanied by two police officers, on Oct. 11, 2023 after the CCTV footage was analyzed through sheer luck.
The attacks are thought to have been carried out between September and October 2023.
In a statement read out to court, RSPCA Inspector Keogh-Laws said: “The defendant can be seen kicking the dog throughout the videos, stamping on her head and legs with force and punching her in her face.
“He is seen picking her up and slamming her to the ground where she lands on her back. In one clip he picks the dog up and holds her up against the mirror of the lift by her throat. He holds her around three feet off the ground for around 10 seconds and then drops her to the floor.
“His body language is aggressive and he is right in the dog’s face pointing. In another clip he pins the dog in the corner of the lift. The dog looks terrified and she cowers and tries to move away to the furthest corner of the lift.
“The dog didn’t appear to be doing anything leading up to or during the beatings which were completely unprovoked.”
Biscuit was examined by a vet who said the dog had suffered for at least four weeks and showed signs of muscle trauma.
In a statement, the vet said: “Given the dog’s demeanor of shying away from touch, along with the CCTV footage of her being beaten and the blood results suggesting muscle damage it is evident that she has suffered from physical abuse that has taken a mental toll on her as well.
“Although the impact of this was not obviously evident on the clinical exam the emotional and mental strain on this animal is significant.”
Brunning was also made to contribute to court costs of $200 and a victim surcharge of $114.
Biscuit has since been housed at the RSPCA Felledge Animal Centre while the charity look to find her a new home.
Inspector Keogh-Laws added: “Biscuit was subjected to vicious, violent assaults over a prolonged period. The only reason this defendant’s horrendous treatment of his pet was discovered was that the flat’s concierge was examining the CCTV footage from the lift to try and identify someone who was coming into the building without a fob.
“It was pure luck that the CCTV was scrutinized and we were able to prosecute Brunning for his appalling behavior. We wouldn’t have known otherwise as the defendant wasn’t on our radar. Now Biscuit can look forward to a new life with a new owner. She is a really nice dog who settled well in our kennels and she will make someone a lovely pet.”
