CONVICTED (2023) | Owen Rippon, born c. 2004, of Woodville Road, Sherwood, Nottingham NG5 2JS – subjected a dog to a frenzied beating and tried to poison her with chocolate – all for social media likes.
Rippon uploaded two videos depicting horrifying animal abuse to the social media platform TikTok. The dog involved in both videos was a nine-year-old Staffy cross named Sasha.
In the first video Rippon announces to his social media followers that “she gets this every day” before he punches the petrified dog at least 35 times as she cowers on the sofa.
A second video shows him feeding Sasha highly toxic chocolate cake, while gloating about the fact that he no longer wants her. The as yet unidentified accomplice filming the abuse is unconcerned at the horrors he is witnessing and does nothing to intervene.
Both acts took place in Nottingham at some point between 20 March and 4 April, 2023 – when a video of the incident was reported to Nottinghamshire Police.
The two videos were widely shared across all social media platforms in early April 2023, sparking a public outcry.
Rippon initially went into hiding for his own safety, but was soon arrested and charged with causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced on Tuesday 18 April 2023.
Various news outlets reported that Sasha, who belongs to a family in the Radford area of Nottingham, had been checked over by a vet and was assessed as “fit and well”.
Inspector Sharon Powar, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “This video was particularly distressing, as it depicted a deliberate assault on a defenceless dog.
“Thankfully, Rippon’s actions didn’t cause severe lasting damage and the animal is now safe and well.
“We are pleased to see that measures have now been taken that will prevent him from ever owning or keeping an animal in the future.
“Nottinghamshire Police will not tolerate acts of animal cruelty and will always look to put anyone involved in this behaviour before the courts.
“Likewise, any acts of violence or threatening behaviour will never be tolerated in our communities and will also lead to anyone who acts in this manner getting themselves into trouble too.”
Sentencing | 26-week custodial suspended for two years; 31-day accredited programme, 10 rehabilitation activity days; £85 in costs and victim surcharge. Lifetime ban on owning animals.
It’s an evil sick horrible little runt –
If he’s a family friend and beats this poor dog up what’s stopping it continuing to go there to hurt the dog ???
He needs a damned good hiding
Do a prisoner swap with him for someone in Russia . See how long he lasts .
Hopefully some animal lovers will pay him a visit. And show him the error of his ways.
I’d love to meet him believe me he’d be crying for his mother when I’ve done with him the useless bastard.
Omg. What kind of ugly person is he. Waste of space. Hope someone teaches his karma.
Please let us know this cnts address
This one needs a short drop.