CONVICTED (2023) | Jamey-Leigh McCusker, born c. 1999, of 79 Hebden Avenue, Longhill, Hull HU8 9LU – filmed herself verbally and physically abusing her dog

McCusker admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a female chocclate brown bull-breed dog named Storm, after twice filming herself interacting with the dog in a very aggressive manner.

On the first clip she is seen shouting at Storm, who was backed up against a wall and cowering. McCusker then throws a wooden kitchen implement at the dog, striking her on her side.

The second clip showed an even more agitated McCusker kicking and stamping on the dog.

The footage was shown to a vet who said the dog’s body language was consistent with being fearful and in distress. The vet concluded that the defendant’s actions would have caused Storm pain.

Humberside Police assessed Storm and while she wasn’t inherently dangerous or aggressive, she was put down because she was a banned breed.

Mitigating, Richard Drew said McCusker had made multiple efforts to find the “big and powerful” dog a new home but she’d reached the end of her tether.

The videos were “a cry for help”. She’d bought the dog from a friend and wasn’t aware of her true breed.

Chairman of the bench Lynda Carmichael said McCusker’s actions were “cruel, unnecessary and unprovoked”.

Sentencing | eight week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months; costs of £528. Banned from owning any animal for 10 years, but may apply for the order to be revoked after five years (expires April 2033).

Yorkshire Post