CONVICTED (2024) | William John Morris, born 9 September 1996, of 122 Norwood Close, Birkby, Huddersfield HD2 2XX – subjected an elderly pug to regular physical abuse culminating in kicking her down a flight of stairs.
Father-of-one Morris appeared at Kirklees Magistrates’ Court on July 15, 2023 for trial, but changed his plea and admitted one offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 in relation to a nine-year-old pug called Minnie.
RSPCA officers visited a property in Calderdale in August 2023 along with police after two dogs were reported to the charity. The court heard that on a previous occasion Minnie had been taken to a veterinary surgery for treatment after an incident.
In a statement to the court, a vet who saw Minnie said she was brought in by her owner, who claimed her ex-partner had ‘kicked the dog in the head’, causing her to fall down the stairs.
The vet said Minnie had shown signs of neurological abnormalities which indicated a problem with the brain, but that this was resolved within a few weeks.
The vet said they were suspicious of a ‘pattern of non-accidental injuries’ and that Minnie could be unsafe.
Speaking after the court hearing, RSPCA Inspector Miranda Albinson said: “Minnie suffered neurological problems after she was kicked and fell down the stairs and she was incredibly lucky that this wasn’t life-changing.
“I’m so pleased that Minnie and her friend were rescued and taken to safety and that they’ve now been returned to their owner who loves them dearly and can now keep them safe from Morris.”
Sentencing | 12-month community order with 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days; court costs. Disqualified from keeping animals for 10 years (expires July 2034).