CONVICTED (2015) | Robbie Knight, born 09/03/1986, of 21 St. Johns Crescent, Tyler Hill, Canterbury CT2 9NB – serial dog abuser who beat and kicked a Staffy on multiple occasions
Knight “booted” Staffordshire bull terrier Zeus several times, leaving him in severe pain.
On January 26, 2015, RSPCA inspector Rachel Leafe attended Knight’s home and noticed Zeus was limping.
He had two strips of fur missing from his back, a small wound at the base of his tail covered in dried blood, and his left hind leg was significantly larger than his right.
Sophie Reid, prosecuting, told magistrates in Folkestone: “Mr Knight said the missing fur happened a while ago when he jumped onto the kitchen side and knocked the kettle over.
“He said he had been limping for four or five days. He said that he kicked Zeus once because he didn’t like bathing and had bitten his middle finger when he tried to do it.”
Inspector Leafe left the property and shortly after received a telephone call from a member of the public, who said they had seen Knight kicking Zeus as well as beating and throwing stones at him on several occasions. She returned to St Johns Crescent to take the dog away for an assessment by vets, to which Knight consented.
Vet Rachel Croucher said Zeus was limping heavily, had an extremely swollen thigh area stretching round the back of his leg and was resistant to examination, indicating he was in “severe pain”. She added the injuries were consistent with a blunt force trauma.
Speaking after the sentencing, Inspector Rachel Leafe said: “After we received a complaint I was able to visit Zeus quickly and therefore saw the extent of his injuries, the kick had had a big impact on him.
“There is never any need to react to a dog in this way. “Hopefully he can now move on and get rehomed and be given a second chance in life.
“He is a lovely dog with great markings and a brilliant personality so I’m sure someone will come forward to rehome him.”
Sentencing:
120 hours of unpaid work in the community; £1,000 costs. Banned from keeping dogs for life.