5
8
A cruel dog owner who was caught on camera repeatedly beating, kicking and threatening his Staffie with a pole has been banned from keeping pets for 10 years.
Alan Davison, 46 was filmed by his neighbour on nine separate occasions terrorising his pet in his Sunderland back garden between June 30 and July 14 last year.
They were so disturbed by what they saw they reported him to police and Davison was arrested.
The shocking footage shows him beating the animal, kicking it and waving a wooden pole threateningly in its face.
South Shields Magistrates Court heard how Davison treated the dog is likely to lead to lasting psychological damage.
He avoided jail with a suspended sentence but was banned from keeping animals of any kind for 10 years.
John Ellwood, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, said: 'The basic facts are that he caused suffering to his Staffordshire bull terrier by hitting, kicking and frightening the dog.