Man ‘hit, kicked’ dog in act of cruelty
A LABRADOR man who kicked and hit his dog multiple times in front of shocked bystanders told police he did so because the animal “kept running away”.
Dean John McNally, 60, was slapped with a $600 fine after he pleaded guilty to animal cruelty in the Southport Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
About noon on October 14, police were called to an area outside Australia Fair shopping centre following reports of an animal abuse incident unfolding.
They came across a man at the scene riding a bicycle with an off-leash dog beside him who matched a witness description.
Police spoke to witnesses who stated they saw McNally strike his dog in the head at least five times and kick the dog multiple times, the court was told.
They also reported the dog was wearing a makeshift collar out of a bicycle lock.
Witnesses said McNally was pulling the collar hard enough to make the dog’s front legs lift off the ground.
Police officers observed the collar appeared to be tight around the dog’s neck.
When questioned by police, McNally admitted to hitting the dog on the head because it would not sit still and “kept running away”.
The 60-year-old said at the time: “He’s a tough dog. He’s fine,” the court was told.
Police observed the dog was “extremely aggressive” towards anyone who approached McNally and tried to bite passers-by.
Police prosecution had sought for the Labrador man to receive a significant fine.
Magistrate Joan Crawford took into account the nature of the offending, McNally’s age and lack of criminal history when she handed down the sentence.
“You (pleaded guilty) on the first available occasion and you’ve got a very limited criminal history,” Magistrate Crawford said.
“The facts of the offending indicate that there was some quite significant abuse of the dog. Nevertheless, you do have to be given the benefit of an early plea.”
McNally was fined $600, to be referred to SPER.
A conviction was recorded. Under the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001, the maximum penalty for an individual convicted of cruelty to animals is $275,700 or three years imprisonment.