Men investigated by RSPCA face court for hitting their dogs
A six-month-old puppy was hoisted by its collar and smacked while going for a walk on Bribie Island while an older dog was repeatedly punched at a Caboolture service station.
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Two men have faced court after shocking “brain snaps” saw them belt their dogs.
Morayfield father Jason Clifford Brooker beat his English Staffordshire bull terrier in a moment of rage outside a 7-Eleven service station at Caboolture on September 29, 2019.
According to the RSPCA Brooker slapped the dog, named Sharmona, seven times and punched it three times as it yelped in pain.
Magistrate James Blanch heard that while Brooker did beat the dog during the public display of rage, it was otherwise in good condition and did not show signs of fear towards him.
“You can’t treat dogs like that,” Magistrate Blanch said.
Meanwhile Banksia Beach man Liam Joseph Roche pleaded guilty to beating his six-month-old American Staffordshire terrier Brax while taking it for a walk on June 9, 2020.
The court heard Roche was filmed hitting the puppy so hard it lifted off the ground and then hoisting it up by its collar and hitting it twice.
The court heard Roche had a “brain snap” after working a 14-hour shift but was also reportedly heard most nights yelling and swearing at the dog despite the dog being in good physical condition.
“I can show you 100 photos of how (the puppy has) been loved,” Roche said.
Roche pleaded guilty to one charge of inappropriate handling of the dog — which was seized by the RSPCA — and was fined $1200 and ordered to pay costs of more than $2000 for vet bills, boarding and court proceedings, and was placed on a two-year pet ownership prohibition order.
Brooker pleaded guilty to animal cruelty and inappropriate handling and was fined $1600 and ordered to pay more than $1000 in costs.
He was also placed on a two-year animal prohibition order but was not forced to surrender his dog.
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