CONVICTED (2017) | Jason Smart, born 15 February 1969, of Manchester Road, Castleton, Rochdale OL11 3AW – battered his pet dog in the street
Former professional footballer Jason Smart was captured on CCTV beating his four-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier, Frank.
The footage filmed by shop owner Paula O’Connor showed Smart ‘punishing’ the animal after he ran out into the road.
Ms O’Connor, spotted Frank outside her pet shop on Manchester Road in Castleton, Rochdale, in October 2016, and initially thought he was a stray as there was no one with him, RSPCA prosecutors said.
However she then heard a man shouting and Smart emerged and hit him twice.
She told him: “Don’t hit the dog like that.”
Smart replied: “Shut up you stupid f***, it’s my dog, I can do what I want.”
Smart pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.
The court heard that he was “utterly devoted” to Frank, who was taken from him and rehomed. Smart has since gone on to get another dog.
Sentencing: 150 hours of unpaid work; a total of £645 costs and charges. Deprivation order for Frank. SEVEN MONTH ban on keeping animals (expired).