CONVICTED (2019) | Andrew Cook, born 14 May 1990, of Grebe Close, Waterlooville PO8 – left his ex-girlfriend’s six-month-old puppy ‘lifeless’ with a fractured skull and hip after kicking him in a fit of rage
Self-employed bricklayer Andrew Cook admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal following a violent assault on the defenceless Staffy puppy named Bronson.
The court heard Cook attacked the dog, who belonged to his former partner Paige Bowden, after returning home to find the dog had pooed and urinated inside.
Bronson was kicked with such force by Cook he suffered multiple injuries. He suffered a brain injury, internal bleeding, at least two broken bones, severe bruising around his left eye and even in his mouth.
When Ms Bowden came home and questioned Cook about the injuries, he said Bronson was ‘just sulking’ after being hurt by another dog owner on a walk.
Prosecuting for the RSPCA, Sarah Huck said Cook’s temper flared and he later threatened to stamp on the dog’s head to ‘finish him off so there was no vets’ bills to pay’.
An estimated £5,000 has so far been spent on treating Bronson after he was assessed by staff at Vets 4 Pets, Sanctuary Vets and the RSPCA-owned Stubbington Ark in Fareham.
Bronson is now recovering back in the care of Ms Bowden, who dumped Cook – the father of her young son – after the dog attack.
Mitigating, lawyer Howard Barrington-Clark said Cook ‘couldn’t cope’ when he found the mess and kicked out in anger as if the puppy was an ‘inanimate object’, like a ‘door’.
‘We have probably all done it, or come perilously close to doing it,’ he said.
‘It’s as if that puppy, for a split-second, turned into an inanimate object.
‘The defendant wasn’t thinking straight and accepts it was completely wrong – he accepts complete guilt.’
He said Cook’s previous criminal record was a ‘lousy’ one but contained no similar incidents.
Speaking after the sentencing, RSPCA inspector Charlotte Coggins said ‘justice has been done’ – but the case was among the ‘worst the group has seen in a long time’.
‘The injuries are absolutely awful,’ she said.
‘Thankfully [the dog] is recovering absolutely fine and he is back with his owner where, undoubtedly, he will be getting all the love he needs.’
Sentencing | 12-week prison sentence suspended for 18 months;100 hours of unpaid work; rehabilitation activity requirement comprising 21 sessions geared at reducing violent behaviour and 20 hours of activities. Total of £515 costs and charges. Disqualified from keeping animals for life.
This post is completely out of order. No one knows the true story behind all this but the ones close to him. Everyone knows or should know how much the media lie and stretches the truth to make a story sound even worse then it was to sell the copys! Alot of what is said in the article is complete lies! And im sure he is going through the right channels to sue the papers for bare face lieing to get a story. Why do you think he only got a 12 week prison sentence SUSPENDED! Because you dont have a clue about the REAL facts behind this. And to post pictures of his son on hear is absolutely disgusting you should be ashamed yourselfs. For your information the dog was completely fine the next day after the incident. Hes been given a £515 fine but still choose to pay the rest of the vet bills himself so its not fallen on the tax payers pocket. And your hear trying to make sure he never works again? So you want to pay for him to sit at home and get paid by the goverment! Yea that really makes sense! Think you need to know the real facts of each story before you just jump on the band wagon. Remember theres always 2 sides to every story. I hope one day you are a victim to the media lieing and stretching the truth about you and you end up losing your business over it and being made to look a monster!
Well, a man who was witnessed beating a pug puppy to death was also given a suspended prison sentence recently so I don’t set much store on that. It’s well known that ‘punishments’ for animal abuse are woeful in this country. It’s a national disgrace and it’s no wonder some animal lovers feel the need to take the law into their own hands as they don’t feel that justice has been done. On your other points, I take the view that abusers have their day in court and the opportunity to present a defence. The person you’re defending was convicted anyway and his inclusion on our database is entirely warranted.
Andrew Cook I assume. You made yourself the monster by your disgusting violent actions. Try taking responsibility for your own actions. Instead of trying to blame a defenceless dog. In relation to employment- I certainly wouldn’t be comfortable with someone who assaults a dog working anywhere near me or my home. What a disgrace.
The dog did not have a fractured skull nor did he suffer brain injuries thats the media lieing and stretching the truth. If only you realised how much of an impact this whole thing has had on him. Im not by any means condoning what he done as it is still bad what he did but the facts on the article are all wrong and need to be addressed appropriately. Things like this makes people do stupid things like take there own lifes! As its based on lies. I just hope he can get the justice he now deserves for being branded alot worse then it was. The papers have alot to answer for thats for sure.
What kind of mentality of person would do this to a dog? If I was the ex girlfriend I wouldn’t even trust him to be alone with the child. If I was him I would try and take responsibility for my actions instead of coming on here trying to defend themselves. If he does this kind of thing to a dog he’s probably capable of doing it to another human / girlfriend / wife / child. Disgusting.
Regardless of what injuries he inflicted he attacked an animal out of anger. That is inexcusable! Anyone trying to excuse his actions should take a long hard look at themselves!