CONVICTED (2018) | Craig Paul Precious, of Ellerby Grove, Hull HU9 3PR – allowed his lurcher dog to kill a cat.
Precious, who apparently enjoys persecuting nocturnal animals (also known as lamping) in his spare time, failed to control the grey lurcher who attacked two cats who were sitting in a garden in a residential street.
One managed to get away but a black and white cat died as a result of the injuries inflicted upon her.
The dog was not on a lead at the time and CCTV subsequently showed Precious decided against putting the animal on a lead, even after he had seen what had happened to the cat.
Precious admitted failing to control the animal in the attack.
Reviewing the CCTV footage, RSPCA inspector Laura Barber said: “Two cats can be seen in the CCTV footage sitting in a garden. A grey lurcher runs into view from the street and into the garden and attacks one of the cats.
“Fortunately the other one gets away.
“Precious comes into view with another lurcher on a lead and he goes into the garden to take a look at what’s happened.
“After a few moments he leaves the garden and walks away. Even after the incident the grey lurcher isn’t put on a lead and continues to run in and out of people’s gardens.”
The court heard a similar incident had happened before, but in mitigation Precious denied it and said the incident had been an accident and he wanted to apologise.
Sentencing: 12-month community order including 100 hours of unpaid work; total of £385 costs and charges. Banned from keeping dogs for five years (expires September 2023).