CONVICTED (2014) | Matthew Coffin aka Matthew Jones, born 11 September 1986 and as of 2022 living in Ennerdale Road, Redbridge, Southampton SO18 2EQ – swung a cat by her tail like a yoyo.
Coffin was at his then home in Vanguard Road, Townhill Park, Southampton, with his girlfriend, Emma Davies, when the abuse to the cat, Daisy, was first seen by visiting friends. When they returned the following day they witnessed even more.
Distressed by what they saw, they filmed it on a mobile phone before alerting the RSPCA.
The clip showed Coffin grinning as he grabbed Daisy and bounced her around like a yo-yo while sitting with Davies (who did nothing to intervene) on the sofa in their flat.
Prosecutor Sarah Wheadon told the court: “In a vet’s opinion, suffering was caused for the period she was bounced and swung by her tail and this suffering was unnecessary.
“If it had continued as shown it is very likely she would have sustained injury. A responsible owner would realise that treating Daisy in this way was totally inappropriate.”
The court heard how Daisy and another cat, Charlie, were quickly removed from Coffin’s care.
Coffin pleaded guilty to two cases of causing unnecessary suffering to the animal.
In mitigation, the court heard Coffin, unemployed, had accepted he should not have done it and regretted his actions. He was also apparently undergoing mental health assessment for recent depression and blackouts.
RSPCA Inspector Penny Baker, who removed the cats with police officers, welcomed the sentence.
Inspector Baker said: “The video, taken by Coffin’s friend, clearly shows him swinging the cat by its tail on several occasions.
“He said his young nephew was coming to stay and pulled cats tails so he was getting Daisy used to it.
“This is a terribly heartless thing to do and I was shocked when I saw the video of him pulling her up and down several times.
“What makes it worse is that he had done this the previous day and was happy to repeat it.
“I am very pleased with the sentence as it shows how seriously magistrates took the offence he committed, which was clearly a deliberate act.”
Vets X-rayed ‘timid’ Daisy and found no lasting damage, Inspector Baker said.
Inspector Baker added: “I found poor Daisy very timid, but since she has been in our care she’s become a lot more friendly.
“Had this mistreatment gone on as she grew and got much bigger, there’s a far stronger chance she could have been badly injured.
“Coffin lifted Daisy up entirely by her tail, and the weight of this could have really hurt her.
“He admitted in court that he was basically showing off.”
Sentencing | 12-month community order with 150 hours of unpaid work. Banned from keeping any animals for 10 years (expires January 2024).
We Thank The Witnesses Very Much For Reporting This.
It seems like Quite A Backward Family.
His Partner is next to Him on the sofa, yet She does nothing to Help or Stop Him.
He Also States: his young nephew was coming to stay and Pulled Cats Tails, so he was getting the Cat used to it.
You Don’t bring Children up to think it is the norm, to pull Cats Tails, or go swinging Cats around by their Tail to get used to it.
Luckily the Cat has been Removed, before it really got Hurt.