Ipswich man Zenith Bonner applies for bail for alleged hammer attack on dog

An Ipswich man has been arrested and charged with animal cruelty after he was allegedly captured on CCTV hitting a dog with a hammer.

An Ipswich man has been arrested and charged with animal cruelty after he was allegedly captured on CCTV hitting a dog with a hammer.

An Ipswich man allegedly hit a dog with a hammer while he was on bail for allegedly assaulting his disabled brother.

Zenith Douglas Bonner, 42, stands charged with animal cruelty, threatening violence (discharge firearms or other act at night), and wilful damage.

The Ipswich Magistrates’ Court heard at Bonner’s bail application today, May 1, that there was CCTV of the alleged offending captured in September 2023.

Magistrate Robert Walker said it was alleged Bonner could be seen “holding hammers and swinging and hitting the dog”.

He noted the current condition of the dog was unknown.

Mr Walker said it was alleged Bonner had become “angered because of a situation that was unfolding that [he wasn’t] happy with”.

“Your response to that, allegedly, was entirely unacceptable and placed the safety of others at risk,” Mr Walker said.

The court heard Bonner denied the allegations and claimed it was someone else in the footage.

Police prosecutor Jo Colston said Bonner had been on bail at the time for other alleged offending.

She said Bonner was accused of seriously assaulting his brother, who is an amputee, with a large nerf gun.

The court heard it was alleged Bonner had become angry when his brother didn’t give him a cigarette.

Mr Walker said Bonner had a history of endangering the safety and welfare of others.

Bonner’s criminal history included convictions for attempted robbery, dangerous operation of a vehicle, and assaulting or obstructing police.

Mr Walker refused Bonner’s bail and ordered he be remanded in custody for mention on May 13.