CONVICTED (2015) | Daniel Michael Peel, born 22/03/1986, of 15 Blackmoor Close, Darlington DL1 4RU – caught on CCTV repeatedly kicking and stamping on his dog’s head, causing her to howl in pain
CCTV footage showed lifelong thug Daniel Peel kicking the female bull terrier-type dog, named Sacha, at a bus stop near The Navy Club on North Road, Darlington, on May 17, 2015.
He then rounded the corner towards Northgate and stamped on the dog’s head five or six times causing the animal to whine loudly.
One witness, who was standing at the bus stop, said: “He brought his left knee up high and stamped down five or six times on the dog’s head. He put all his force into it. He did it with venom and anger.
“When he made contact with the dog I heard a crunching sound and a thud. It made me feel sick.”
The witness added that they shouted after Peel and wanted to pursue him but “felt scared”.
Prosecutor Kevin Campbell told Darlington Magistrates’ Court how the RSPCA received several complaints and spoke to witnesses who came forward following the incident, one of which identified Peel from his tribal tattoos.
Peel offered no comment when asked by the RSPCA why he attacked the dog.
The court heard how Peel had been subjected to a barrage of hate mail and threats on social media since the attack, which caused the breakdown of a long-term relationship.
“Cruelty to animals will never be tolerated by the court,” said chairman of the bench, Nick Edger.
“We have seen just one aspect of what you did on that day and witnesses have come forward to say you did more.
A vet assessed Sacha and confirmed severe bruising on such muscular breeds is not always visible but she had experienced a lot of suffering.
After seeing the CCTV footage of the incident the vet said it was “a vicious attack” and there was “no justification”.
Peel later admitted causing unnecessary suffering to Sacha, who was owned by his former partner.
RSPCA officer, Clare Wilson, said: “It’s really down to the public that we managed to get the court to take this so seriously because of the response we had.”
Sentence: 12-month community order including 80 hours’ unpaid work; £1,500 court costs. Banned from owning animals for five years (expired November 2020).
Additional information
Danny Peel runs a business called DP Window and Pressure Cleaning Services.
In 2022 convicted violent dog abuser Peel launched a bully breeding business called Darlington Bully Camp (styled as Darlingtonbullycamp) or DBC. Facebook business page here.
DBC specialises in XL American bulldogs. Many of the dogs promoted on Peel’s social media profiles have cropped ears.