CONVICTED (2021) | farrier Robert Graham Harland, born January 1967, of Spring House Farm, Skipton Road, Harrogate HG3 2LT – attacked a police horse with a hammer.
PH George was attacked with a hammer by professional farrier Robert Harland from Harrogate.
Harland previously denied causing unnecessary suffering to West Yorkshire police horse George (pictured), while on force premises in Carr Gate, Wakefield, but changed his plea to guilty when he appeared in court.
The incident happened on December 12, 2020.
PH George recovered and is still on operational duty with West Yorkshire Police.
CONVICTED (2020) | football hooligan Derek Jennings, born c. 1967, of Laburnum Grove, Portsmouth PO2 0EU – punched a police horse on the nose then swung at her two more times
Jennings pleaded guilty to a charge of violent disorder after attacking police horse Luna before a local derby football match on 24 September 2019.
The court heard a police commander had noticed Jennings becoming aggressive towards officers and rival fans during the build-up to the match.
The officer riding Luna headed towards Jennings, who clenched his first and punched the horse on the nose. The mare shied away from the attack, but Jennings swung at Luna twice more before he attempted to run away. He was quickly arrested, however, and taken into custody
Luna was uninjured in the attack and able to remain on duty.
DCI John McGonigle of Hampshire Constabulary said: “For a grown man to act in this way was deplorable, especially against an animal, who was simply there to help protect people who wanted to enjoy the game and get home safely. We hope this sentence sends a clear message that we will not tolerate this type of behaviour or any disorder at any public event. Action will be taken and those responsible will be investigated.”
“We’d like to thank the public for the outpouring of support we received for Luna, it was very much appreciated,” he said.
Sentencing: 20 months in prison. Six-year football banning order.
CONVICTED (2019) | Daniel O’Sullivan, born c. 1990, of Bowland Drive, Liverpool L21: stabbed a police dog twice in head and attacked officers while high on cocaine and monkey dust.
Daniel O’Sullivan was prosecuted under Finn’s Law for his attack on PD Audi
Daniel O’Sullivan was jailed for 21 months after he admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, five counts of assault and two counts of possessing an offensive weapon in a public place.
Police were called to deal with the thug following reports of a man wielding a knife and broken bottle in a street in Hanley, near Stoke, on July 1, 2019.
When O’Sullivan refused to drop the weapons a police dog named Audi was sent into the incident.
O’Sullivan stabbed PD Audi twice in the head before throwing a bottle at an officer and kicking him in the face. He spat at four other officers.
Following his arrest O’Sullivan was taken to hospital for assessment and was aggressive towards medical staff.
PD Audi survived the knife attack and has since returned to duty.
Audi needed emergency treatment but survived the attack and has since returned to duty.
The prosecution for the attack against Audi is the first under the new Animal Welfare (Emergency Services) Act.
Known as Finn’s Law, it now recognises police dogs as public servants and not simply police property. The maximum sentence is currently six months.
Detective Inspector Stephen Ward, from Staffordshire Police, said: “O’Sullivan presented a significant danger to anyone who was nearby and we cannot allow the public to be put at risk.
“He assaulted five officers, spitting at four of them, which is a degrading experience for the officers concerned and can present a health risk.
“O’Sullivan was out to seriously hurt PD Audi and it was lucky that he wasn’t blinded or killed as a result of his injuries.
“Aside from the sheer cruelty of his actions, it takes a great deal of time, energy and expense to train a police dog and an experience like that could have ended his career. Fortunately, Audi has recovered well and is back at work.”
Sentencing | jailed for 21 months of which three months was for injuring PD Audi.
CONVICTED (2017) | career criminal Martin Alie Sama, born November 1987, of Faringdon Walk, Reading RG30 3LD – attacked a police dog during a pursuit
Persistent criminal Martin Sama attacked PD Caesar during a pursuit. Fortunately Caesar recovered from his injuries and is back on duty while Sama was sent to jail.
Sama, who is originally from Sierra Leone, was convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, assaulting a constable, possessing an offensive weapon in a public place, possessing cannabis, driving dangerously and driving while disqualified and without insurance.
The court heard that PD Caesar, a Dutch Shepherd, pursued Sama, who then attacked the dog and bit his handler.
It came after police constable Christopher Bushnell spotted a shredded back tyre on a Lexus, being driven by the persistent offender.
The officer pursued Sama, who drove through two red lights and swerved across multiple lanes.
The court heard how Sama then jumped out of the out of the moving car and sprinted down an alley. This prompted the policeman to release Caeser.
Giving evidence, PC Bushnell said: “Caesar chased the male down the alley way and I followed.
“I heard the male scream. Caesar had bit him in the buttock. The man was lashing out and swinging Caesar’s body. The man was striking the dog.
“Caesar released his grip and dropped off.”
Aware that Caesar, who had been working with him for nearly four years, could be in trouble, PC Bushnell called for backup and swung a punch at Sama.
2010 police mugshot of Sama
Sama bit the policeman’s fingers whilst he was being restrained, the court heard.
When more officers arrived minutes later they found Sama to be in possession of a small amount of cannabis and a 20-inch machete.
Limping Caesar was taken to a vets the following day and had to take four days off the beat.
Sama pictured outside court
Despite admitting he was driving the car, Sama denied the drugs were his.
“That cannabis was found in a cigarette packet on the alley floor,” he told District Judge Susan Cooper.
“It had nothing to do with me.”
He also claimed the machete was brought into the car by a mystery man he was giving a lift to and whose name he did not know, and that he did not hit the dog or bite PC Bushnell.
He continued: “I did not strike the dog at all. I wouldn’t do that to a dog.
“I also didn’t bite the officers finger’s. I was beaten so badly I even lost my shoes.”
However Judge Cooper was not convinced by Sama, who has previous dangerous driving and drug convictions.
The judge added: “It seems ludicrous to suggest the cigarette packet wasn’t on you.
“Two officers could see it was. I also believe you were travelling at speed.
“You have come to court today and told many lies.”
