CONVICTED (2023) | Sean Michael Bell, born c. 1985, of Banbury Road, Kenton, Newcastle upon Tyne NE3 – used his pet Staffy as a weapon against police officers, leading to the dog’s destruction.
In January 2022 officers from Northumbria Police attended an address in Blyth, Northumberland, in response to reports of domestic violence. On arrival they found Sean Bell drunk and sitting in his car outside the property where his then partner lived.
When officers attempted to detain Bell, he ordered his 10-year-old Staffy, Buster, who was sitting in the back seat, to “get them”. It was then that the dog attacked the officers. Bell encouraged the dog to keep attacking the officers while they tried to place handcuffs on him.
The female officer sustained bite wounds to her thigh and leg, with the male officer sustaining wounds to his thigh and calf.
Bell also attacked both officers and dished out verbal abuse before he was finally arrested.
In custody, Bell then spat at an officer, while screaming abuse from a custody suite.
Bell’s lawyer told the court that Buster is “not dangerous unless in the hands of someone not fit and proper”. She said members of Bell’s family could look after and insure the dog as well as muzzle him on walks. However, Recorder Mark Giuliani rejected this on the basis of Bell’s “chaotic” family background and instead ordered that Buster be destroyed.
A jury found Bell, who has previous convictions for criminal damage and assault occasioning actual bodily harm, guilty of two counts of being in charge of a dangerously out of control dog.
He was also found guilty of two counts of an assault with intent to avoid apprehension and one count of common assault.
He was sentenced to eight years and six months and banned from keeping pets for 18 years.
After sentencing on 4 April 2023, Ch Supt Sam Renninson said Bell’s actions were “completely unacceptable”. He added: “As a force filled with animal lovers, it is also distressing to see a dog used in such a way to attack our officers.
“It is important that anyone responsible for such behaviour is brought to justice, and I hope this case sends a clear message that this conduct will not be tolerated.”
Sentencing | eight years and six months in jail. Banned from keeping pets for 18 years.
Absolutute scum, so the poor dog loses his life because he is a complete UGLY TWAT.
Those that abuse animals whether members of the public or laboratory scientists will often become an abusive partner