THE PHOTO THIS PUPPY BASHER DIDN'T WANT YOU TO SEE
JIAN Zhang was so embarrassed he did not want vision of him bashing his threemonth-old puppy to be aired in court yesterday.
Not because he was ashamed of what he did. He didn't want people to see him with his shirt off.
Well, here it is.
The RSCPA released the photos to the Bulletin yesterday after the Broadbeach Waters man showed little remorse for hitting his Samoyed puppy Ka Ka about a dozen times with a stick.
Zhang, 28, “terrified” the dog on March 19 as it cowered “yelping and screaming” on a bathroom vanity.
The noise was so distressing neighbours filmed him and reported it to the RSPCA.
Prosecutor Bill Ness, for the RSPCA, said the offending was serious and involved prolonged and deliberate conduct.
After submitting the video to the court, Mr Ness said: “I understand that the defendant takes issue with the fact he is in his underpants at the time and would feel uncomfortable with that being played in open court.”
Zhang said he was just trying to discipline the animal.
Vet reports tendered to the Southport Magistrates Court yesterday said Ka Ka, and a matching female dog kept at the property named Mo Mo, showed behaviour consistent with being beaten. Despite being friendly and eager to please, the puppies cowered and urinated when startled.
In sentencing, Magistrate John Costanzo told Zhang: “I’m not satisfied this is a plea born of remorse. You’re a mature-aged man who should know better than to treat animals in the way that you did.”
Mr Costanzo said Zhang continued to strike the dog even though in pain.
“The incident on the video recording was distressing to the dog and obviously concerning to the neighbours and it is both concerning and distressing to this court.”
Mr Costanzo also referred to a letter Zhang submitted to the court which stated he thought the dogs simply enjoyed barking.
“Dogs are intelligent animals, they have feelings and emotions. You claim that the dogs simply like to bark, that’s like saying you simply like to talk as a human being.
“There has been a lot of research that shows that men who abuse animals often go on to abuse women or other people.
“So you need to address your behaviour so you do not end up going down that path.”
Mr Costanzo ordered Zhang serve 12 months probation and pay legal and vet costs up to $8588.79. He ordered the dogs be taken from Zhang and he must not own an animal for three years.
Outside court, RSPCA prosecutions inspector Tracey Jackson said Zhang’s lack of remorse was “an insight into his offending”. “We all know that’s not the right way to discipline your dog and certainly isn’t the correct way to discipline your children.”
Ms Jackson said the puppies were in safe hands and expected to lead happy and healthy lives. it was obviously