CONVICTED (2024) | Thomas Hardy, born 13 April 1992, of 48 Prior Court, Billingham TS23 3PL – for two counts of animal abuse involving blunt force trauma, physical violence and intimidatory behaviour towards two Cockapoos.
Sickening CCTV footage from Prior Court, Billingham, captured Thomas Hardy inflicting a litany of abuse on two terrified dogs.
One clip showed Hardy repeatedly punching a tan-coloured Cockapoo in the head, before placing her in a stranglehold, compressing her chest between his legs and swinging her around by the neck.
Further footage showed the same dog cowering from Hardy and trying to run before he grabs her by the scruff and lifts her off the floor. He places his free hand around the dog’s throat and carries her swinging in front of him. She is then thrown into a lift and collides with the back of it before Hardy kicks her under the chin and blocks the security camera.
In a third clip filmed 10 days later Hardy is seen with a brown male Cockapoo. The dog is initially wagging his tail as he follows Hardy. He is grabbed by the neck as the defendant violently puts a lead on him before being dropped to the floor and yanked off his front feet. His tail stops wagging and he is observed acting submissively.
An RSPCA inspector visited Hardy’s flat with police officers on August 2, 2023,. Due to animal welfare concerns, entry to the property was forced after there was no reply.
In written evidence to the court, the RSPCA inspector said: “Inside the property was a light brown Cockapoo type dog, she was very nervous and cowering down.
“The flat the dog was living in was very unkempt and smelt of excrement and had faeces littered around.
“The dog was seized by the police and placed into the care of the RSPCA and I put her in my vehicle.”
In written evidence to the court the vet who examined the female dog and viewed the CCTV footage, said: “The individual in the videos is clearly seen to hit, choke, kick and throw the tan cockapoo.
“There is no reason to treat any animal in this way. The dog will have suffered physical pain and in addition showed clear signs of emotional distress.”
The vet said Hardy had inflicted pain and fear on both dogs and they had suffered unnecessarily as a result.
Hardy pleaded guilty to the charges.
Speaking after the conclusion of the case, RSPCA Chief Inspector Mark Gent said: “The video footage of these dogs being abused by Hardy multiple times was very difficult to watch. It’s hard to understand how someone can treat animals with such contempt and cruelty, and we will never know, as the defendant refused to be interviewed about it. We’d sincerely like to thank the police and the security staff for their assistance in this case which has been upsetting for everyone involved.”
The female cockapoo was looked after at a private boarding facility on behalf of the RSPCA and has since been happily rehomed.
The offence was deemed serious enough to warrant a prison sentence. However, it was suspended given Hardy’s admission of guilt.
Sentencing | twelve-week custodial, suspended for 24 months, for each charge; thinking skills programme; £600 costs and £154 victim surcharge. Disqualified from dealing or participating in keeping any animals for 12 years.
