CONVICTED (2008) | John Martell, born c. 1968, of Mulberry Court, Pendleton, Salford M6 – kicked, punched and stamped on his dog because he was having “a really bad day”.
On November 7, 2008 John Martell was jailed for 12 weeks and banned from keeping all animals for life. His prosecution for animal cruelty came after he was caught on CCTV unleashing a vicious attack against his pet dog in a lift at his Salford home.
Martell pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to his 18-month-old Staffordshire bull terrier-type dog, called Madison, by subjecting him to physical trauma.
The court heard how Martell attacked Madison in a lift at Mulberry Court flats on April 22, 2008, when the dog urinated in the lift after previously messing in the flat.
He kicked the dog four times, punched him three times and stamped on his back five times.
The ordeal was witnessed by a security guard who recorded it on CCTV and contacted the RSPCA.
On April 23 RSPCA inspectors, together with officers from Greater Manchester police, visited Martell’s home and removed Madison.
The dog was taken to a nearby vets, who found he had swollen, puffy eyes and confirmed he had suffered.
Magistrates were told in mitigation that unemployed Martell had been suffering from alcohol problems and had argued with his girlfriend immediately before the attack.
Chair of the bench John Connor described the ordeal as ‘a deliberate and sustained attack against a defenceless animal.’
RSPCA chief inspector Cathy Hyde said: “This was one of the worst attacks on an animal that I’ve ever seen.
“There’s no excusing what this man did.
“It was a shocking, wanton act of cruelty carried out without provocation. The sentence reflects the callous and cruel nature of this case.”
Madison made a full recovery and was made available for rehoming.
Sentencing | 12-week custodial and lifetime ban.