Man convicted of animal cruelty after forcing a dog to walk 33km and assaulting it

A man who smashed a dog into cement after she had recently birthed six puppies has been convicted of shocking animal cruelty offences in Adelaide. Warning: Graphic

A man who forced a dog who had recently given birth to a litter to walk 33km before throwing it up in the air and smashing her body to the ground multiple times was convicted.

The animal cruelty offences happened near the intersection of Brodie Rd and Sheriffs Rd at Lonsdale about 10pm October 31, 2020.

A passing motorist saw the incident play out, which started with the defendant yelling at the dog, before grabbing her by her neck and smashing her head and body into the cement three times.

A man who forced a female dog to walk 33km who had recently given birth was convicted of animal cruelty charges. Picture: RSPCA SA

The man was then seen riding his bike screaming and motioning the dog to follow, before the rider picked the dog up again and threw her two metres down the path.

A second vehicle stopped after seeing the violent incident which became heated when the defendant refused to surrender the dog.

Police were called, where the bike rider admitted he took the dog from his mother’s Hackham West house and made her walk and run 33km.

The two-year-old staffordshire terrier cross named Little Miss had birthed six puppies prior to the offending.

Little Miss, age two, was severely underweight. Picture: RSPCA SA

Little Miss gave birth to six puppies prior to the offending. Picture: RSPCA SA

The dog was seized and taken to the RSPCA Lonsdale shelter, where Little Miss was identified as being underweight, and with skin missing from obvious paw pad trauma.

She also suffered pain in her right forelimb.

Chief Veterinarian Brad Ward said the dog was at peak lactation, and that a feeding puppy should not be exercising.

“It was four days before the dog could walk without limping,” Dr Ward said.

The three week old puppies were also seized and reunited with Little Miss, who belonged to the defendant’s mother.

Once Little Miss had recovered, the owner was allowed to reclaim the dog and puppies on the condition that the defendant (her son) not be allowed to reside at the address.

The defendant pleaded guilty to three counts of animal cruelty, and was affected by drugs at the time of the offending.

He was sentenced to a 12 month good behaviour bond and ordered to pay more than $1000 in legal costs and vet bills.