CONVICTED (2023) | George Jiri Boura, born 24 July 1978, of St Johnstouns Buildings, Charles Street, Perth PH2 9LB – punched his neighbour’s dog twice in the face during a row about late night noise.

Czech national Boura, who has a history of anger-fuelled violence, lashed out at the Staffie-collie cross, named Summer, after being woken by people outside his block of flats at 2am.

Police charged Boura with causing the animal unnecessary suffering following the incident on May 8, 2022.

Boura, who was also charged with a public disorder offence, denied hitting the dog and claimed to police he had instead “pushed its head away gently”.

Boura, who builds tee-pees for weddings, was found guilty following a one-day trial at Perth Sheriff Court, after three witnesses insisted they saw him punch the dog in the face.

Summer’s owner Mark Donnachie told the court he was outside the block of flats with her just after 2am when he met two friends with their dog. He said that the dogs were playing but weren’t barking.

Mr Donnachie said that Boura came out of his house and “started shouting and swearing at us.”

He added that Boura seemed to be “wanting a fight” and may have been drinking.

Mr Donnachie conceded that Summer – who knew Boura – had jumped up at him but “wasn’t being aggressive”.

He told the court: “George just turned round and punched her full on the head. She got scared and ran away. I put her back inside the house.”

Mr Donnachie told the court that Summer “isn’t the same dog” following the attack. He said “If someone goes to touch her now, she just starts shaking. She has stickers on her, letting people know she needs space.”

Mr Donnachie said Boura struck his dog once but other witnesses agreed he hit the animal twice.

Boura told his trial he had made several complaints to Perth and Kinross Council about noise such as “dogs barking, fighting over squeezy balls” and believed there was a conspiracy against him.

Describing the incident he said: “I was asleep in bed when I heard howling from the dog. It lasted about 20 minutes. I just went out and I was swearing at them.”

Boura said: “The dog jumped at me.

“Because I was angry, I pushed her away with an open hand.”

Sheriff Gillian Wade found Boura guilty of threatening or abusive behaviour, likely to cause fear or alarm, and causing the dog unnecessary suffering by repeatedly punching it and told him: “I note you have a previous conviction for serious violent offending, so you are clearly a person who is of a violent disposition.”

Boura was fined £450.

The Courier