Bristol Man Banned from Keeping Animals for Verbally Abusing Dog

A Bristol man has been banned from keeping animals after being recorded hurling abuse at his pet dog.

Joshua Ponsford, 23, of St George, Bristol, admitted one charge of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal when he appeared at Bristol Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, 4th November 2020.

Causing unnecessary suffering to an animal is an offence under section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006. It has a maximum penalty of 26 weeks' custody and/or an unlimited fine on summary conviction.

The RSPCA prosecuted Ponsford after being handed recordings of him screaming profanities at his pet rottweiler Lulu.

During one recording, which was 59 seconds long, Ponsford can be heard saying: "Go on your bed, get in your bed, get in your bed now, get in your fucking bed now, go in your bed now, now, now you fucking stay there. You dirty little mutt."

The dog, shown in the image at the top of this article, could be heard yelping in the background along with a series of thuds.

In another recording, this time 57 seconds long, Lulu could be heard yelping and wimpering, as Ponsford shouted at her: "Going to walk to the shop again and get myself some bits. Don't even think of robbing."

In a third recording, which was 17 seconds long, Ponsford could be heard screaming "I'll fucking have you" at Lulu, before she was heard wimpering in the background.

The court also heard several other recordings featuring more of the same, but Ponsford denied inflicting any physical abuse on Lulu.

RSPCA inspector Miranda Albinson, said: "Throughout these recordings the male, who can be heard, is clearly angry and can be heard yelling at the dog."

Veterinary Surgeon David Martin said: "It is my expert opinion that undoubtedly Lulu suffered as a result of mental fear and terror as a result of the verbal abuse from Mr Ponsford as demonstrated on the audio recordings.

"It is well known and understood by the public that dogs respond to the tone and volume of the voice and that dogs are susceptible and will suffer from fear and distress if verbally abused particularly if this is recurrent or long lasting.

"Training and discipline of dogs is nowadays recognised as needing to be reward based so that positive achievements are rewarded and that negative behaviour is ignored and not reacted to.

"Physical and verbal abuse is no longer acceptable as part of dog training as it has been shown to be both ineffective and to cause the dog long term distress."

Magistrates sentenced Ponsford to a 12-month community order with a 6-week curfew requirement and up to 20 days rehabilitation activity requirement.

He was also ordered to pay £200 towards prosecution costs, £90 victim surcharge and disqualified from keeping animals for 5 years.