CONVICTED (2021) | Luke Harrison, born 25 April 1993, of Weighton Grove, Hull HU6 8NE, and Liam Martin Tattersall, born c. 2000, of Park Grove, Hull HU5 – launched a merciless attack on a family dog, leaving him in crying in distress.
The pair, who are cousins, were staying at the Skipsea Sands holiday park in East Yorkshire when witnesses saw them punching, slapping and kicking a Staffordshire bull terrier, known as Patchy.
When questioned about their actions at a later date, Harrison said that was how they were taught to treat animals growing up, a court heard.
Harrison and Tattersall initially denied causing necessary harm to a protected animal.
During a trial held at Hull Magistrates Court on November 8, 2021, Tattersall entered a late guilty plea, and Harrison was found to be guilty in the trial that proceeded in his absence.
RSPCA prosecutor Andrew Davidson told the court that Harrison, Patchy’s owner, was seen by a couple staying at a plot next to them being physically abusive to the dog on several occasions. The couple saw him hitting him with his fist twice while the terrified animal yelped in pain.
On another occasion, Tattersall was seen hitting Patchy twice on the head with force and kicking him.
Harrison and Tattersall moved out of their caravan into a tent at one point. During this time, through the reflection of the shadows, the couple could make out that one of the men was hitting the dog again,
Mr Davidson told the court. When the male witness approached the tent to stop the man, Harrison emerged and said: “What’s it got to do with you? Mind your own business.”
The witnesses called site security. When questioned about his actions, he said: “That is how we have been taught to treat animals.”
The next day, the witnesses saw the men punching the dog and swearing at it, telling it to “get out of the f**king way”
During an RSPCA investigation, Tattersall said he had seen Harrison treating Patchy in that manner and that was why he did the same.
Harrison said: “He was whinging and crying all day, what else was I supposed to do?”
Mr Davidson said: “On the whole this was an unnecessary and cruel assault on a defenceless dog.”
Nick Tubbs, mitigating for Harrison said he did not attend the trial due to childcare reasons, as there are six children in the house he lives in. He added that Harrison felt ‘enormous regret’ for what he did. He had most of his adult life and did not have issues with any of them.
Matthew Coggin, mitigating for Tattersall, said the defendant felt ‘extremely remorseful’.
“The reason behind his involvement was immaturity and influence from others,” Mr Coggin added.
Sentencing:
Harrison – 12-week suspended sentence, 80 hours of unpaid work. Disqualified from owning a dog for 15 years.
Tattersall – eight-week suspended sentence, 60 hours of unpaid work. Disqualified from owning a dog for 10 years.
Additional Information
Harrison’s partner, Natasha Sylvester, was also prosecuted by the RSPCA in relation to the same dog.
It’s not known if the charges against her were dropped.
People such as this shouldn’t have Dogs.
Or any Animal for that matter.
If you haven’t got the patience for Basic Training A Dog Will Need.
Then Don’t Get One In The First Place.
Lets hope he has more Patience With The 6 Children.
After Beating His Dog Up.
I think Social Services need to keep a close eye on the Children.