Accused denies dog belted, tied to tap

A MAN accused of striking his dog and tying it to a tap for almost an hour has denied he was cruel to the pet.

Daniel Ljubas told the Southport Magistrates Court yesterday that he didn’t strike the dog three times after it dug a hole in his Southport backyard, despite telling an RSCPA inspector on June 12 last year that he did.

“He was way too fast … and I didn’t actually manage to hit him forcefully, it was merely a clip out of sheer frustration,” he said.

Ljubas claims the dog, named Cash, hid in his kennel and was yelping.

He told the court he turned to his partner and said: “Babe can you please get him out of the kennel, it sounds like I’m killing him.”

Ljubas is accused of striking his family pet a number of times across the head and putting his hands around its neck.

He also allegedly tied the dog to a tap with a short chain for almost an hour.

Ljubas pleaded not guilty to failing to provide appropriate accommodation or living conditions and was cruel to an animal by causing it unnecessary or unreasonable pain.

He yesterday denied being cruel to the dog.

Prosecutor Adrian Braithwaite asked Ljubas about a comment he made to the RSPCA inspector during an interview. The court was told Ljubas allegedly told the inspector if the dog digs the “consequences will be he’ll get smacked and he will get tied up”.

“You used to smack him and tie him up as retribution,” Mr Braithway put to him. Ljubas replied: “Incorrect.” Ljubas also claimed he had bad blood with neighbour, and alleged witness to the incident, Bryce Harrington.

However, Mr Harrington told the court on Monday he had never spoken with Ljubas.

A ruling on the case will be made on Thursday next week.