Peter Allan Wood, 56, Walloon, sentenced in Ipswich Court for animal cruelty against dog
An Ipswich man was captured on video swearing at and hitting his pet dog, before hoisting her by the collar, slamming her into the ground. Here’s why he did it.
Police & Courts
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An Ipswich man has faced court for a “savage” and “deplorable” act against his pet dog which was captured on video yelping in pain as he threw it to the ground and twisted its neck.
Walloon’s Peter Allan Wood, 56, pleaded guilty in Ipswich Magistrates’ Court on December 20 to one count each of animal cruelty and possessing a water pipe used for smoking a dangerous drug.
The court heard police searched Wood’s home earlier this year after receiving a call reporting Wood for animal cruelty.
Footage was played in court, recorded by a concerned resident on May 7, showing Wood yelling at a black female labrador for digging a hole.
He could be heard swearing at the dog, saying: “No f**king digging”.
“You f**king know you’re in trouble, is that why you put on a performance?”
Magistrate Kathleen Payne said the footage showed Wood dragging the dog by the collar towards the fence.
He could then be seen hitting the dog in the face, causing it to yelp.
Ms Payne said he then picked the dog up by the collar, swung it upwards and “slammed it” into the ground.
She said Wood was then seen choking the dog as it lay on the ground and twisting it by the neck “nearly 180 degrees”.
Ms Payne said Wood’s actions were absolutely abhorrent and sickening.
She said the dog did not retaliate, was not aggressive and tried to run away.
The court heard it was surrendered to the RSPCA, which found there were no injuries.
Wood, who represented himself in court, said he had tried to take the dog to the pound because he was struggling to discipline her.
He believed she was in heat and called the council about surrendering her but was told there was no space.
“I feel really ashamed for what I have done,” Wood said.
He said he would consent to a banning order as he did not want any more pets.
Ms Payne said Wood had no similar offending in his criminal history but his behaviour “appears to be, fortunately for everyone, out of character”.
She Payne accepted Wood was trying to discipline the dog but “overstepped the mark”.
“It is savage offending, it is sickening … I have no doubt that most members of the community would be appalled,” she said.
Ms Payne said the offending was a “particularly deplorable” breach of trust given the loyal nature of most dogs.
She said it was fortunate it did not suffer significant injuries.
She sentenced Wood to 18 months’ probation with a condition he must complete anger management counselling.
He was banned from owning animals for 10 years. Convictions were recorded.
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