RSPCA: Emerton man convicted after bashing dog with hammer

A 33-year-old man has narrowly avoided jail after he bashed his dog with a hammer for ‘destroying his grass’. WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES

An Emerton man has been convicted in Mt Druitt Local Court after he beat his pet Staffordshire Terrier Dwayne with a hammer. Picture: RSPCA NSW

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An Emerton man has been convicted of animal cruelty charges after he beat his dog with a hammer as punishment for ‘destroying his grass’.

Michael Pryce, 33, was sentenced in Mt Druitt Local Court last October after pleading guilty to one count of committing an act of cruelty and another of failing to provide vet treatment for his pet staffordshire terrier, Dwayne.

RSPCA inspectors were called to the Pryce’s home in November 2018 after witnesses reported seeing two dogs hiding in a corner and a man holding a large wooden object covered in blood.

Dwayne was treated from blunt force trauma after his owner beat him with a hammer in Emerton. Picture: RSPCA NSW

The witnesses reported seeing the dark-coloured staffordshire terrier with blood dripping from its mouth and when they confronted Pryce, he took the dogs away and told them the dogs had destroyed his synthetic grass.

When inspectors arrived at the home, they found blood stains throughout the backyard and found the two dogs locked in the laundry. After gaining access, the staffordshire terrier was seized for vet treatment.

Videos from witnesses showed Pryce chasing the dog around the backyard with a hammer, hitting its back legs and then continuing to beat it once it was cornered.

The dog suffered a cut to his tongue after it was punctured by his own teeth during the attack. Picture: RSPCA NSW

The dog was heard squealing in the footage as Pryce hit the dog at least 10 more times with the hammer and struck it with a piece of wood.

After being shown the footage, he admitted to the cruelty and the dog was surrendered.

A vet assessment found the dog had suffered blunt force trauma in the attack and had cuts to his tongue, bruising to his face and a fractured tooth.

In sentencing on October 16, Magistrate Stephen Corry slammed Pryce’s actions.

“You left that dog in continuing pain as a result of not minor injuries, requiring medical treatment,” Magistrate Corry said.

“Put yourself in the dog’s position if you were the subject of an assault. They feel pain. You should reflect on that.”

He was placed on a four-month intensive corrections order and was ordered to undertake 50 hours of community service.

He was banned from buying or owning a dog for five years, however, this ban does not apply to a jack Russell terrier already in his care.

Dwayne was made available for adoption after recovering from his injuries and has since found his forever home.