CONVICTED (2023) | Tyler Steele, born 27 May 1996, of 14 Tiverton Road, Bentilee, Stoke-on-Trent ST2 0AY – caught physically abusing dogs on two separate occasions.
A video of self-styled hardman Tyler Steele hitting a puppy several times was circulated on social media in July 2023 after the footage was caught on a doorbell camera in Hanley, stoke. Steele is seen dragging the female XL Bully, known as Bo, along the pavement and striking her repeatedly.
A second video believed to have been filmed in the Berry Hill area in May 2023 showed Steele throwing a French bulldog from a car, sending her skidding across the road.
The videos sparked outrage from people up and down the country, and prompted both the RSPCA and police to launch an investigation.
In the immediate aftermath of his exposure on social media, Steele turned up at the door from which the later footage was taken and left a message on its doorbell camera.
In it, he was heard to say: “I don’t give a fuck about the video. I’ve told everyone it was me. I don’t give two flying fucks. I’ll treat my dog how I want to treat it.”
In the video featuring Bo, Steele is seen walking along the street on a Hanley housing estate. The pup appears to sit down on her haunches and refuses to budge. Steele then yanks the lead, pulling her towards him, and rains down several blows on her head as she yelps.
He can be heard muttering “Don’t want it no more. He [sic] can fuck off.”
Bo is understood to be back in the care of her original owner but the whereabouts of the French bulldog are unknown.
Appearing at the North Staffordshire Justice Centre in November 2023 Steele pleaded guilty to two counts of causing unnecessary suffering. He is to be sentenced in January 2024 after his case was adjourned for a pre-sentence report – but district judge Kevin Grego warned him that a custodial sentence was ‘highly likely’.
Claire McGowen, prosecuting, said that although there were no veterinary reports detailing the animal’s injuries, the suffering caused to the dog could be seen in the footage.
She said: “There were repeated instances of the use of substantial force causing a substantial level of suffering to a very young animal.”
Colin Drew, mitigating, told the court that Steele had been ‘under the influence’ of cocaine at that time and had since become drug-free.
He said: “He has no previous convictions for this kind of thing. He does have a very bad record and he wouldn’t deny that.
“He was under the influence of cocaine at that time. This last incident on July 7 put him in a situation where he has now become totally drug-free in the last couple of months. He has also benefitted from the assistance of his lady friend.”
Steele was bailed to appear in court in January with the condition that he must not own or possess a dog or any other animal.
District judge Kevin Grego warned Steele that it was ‘highly likely’ that he would face a custodial sentence and be disqualified ‘for a lengthy period’ from keeping an animal at his next court appearance.
Ordering a pre-sentence report, he said: “It is highly likely that custody will follow, and highly likely that the court will disqualify you for a lengthy period from keeping an animal.
“The court will deal with you having regard to the sentencing guidelines of up to 12 months in custody for each offence. It may be that you will be sent to crown court.”
Horrible little scum. Anyone can say they are sorry. Words mean nothing. I’d love to meet him and let him have a try hitting me and I do hope he gets sentenced to prison as the inmates will treat him the same.
A sack of useless, vile, stupidity that we’ll be stuck paying benefits to for the rest of its ( please may it be short ) life.