Gold Coast man fined $500 after throwing cattledog puppy

GOLD Coast man fined $500 for animal cruelty says he is regretful but never threw the dog in the car.

Thomas Barlett leaves the Southport Magistrates court after being charged with animal cruelty for throwing a cattle dog puppy into a car, Southport, Gold Coast. Photo: Regi Varghese

A GOLD Coast scaffolding manager has been convicted of animal cruelty after throwing a cattle dog puppy into a car, causing it to hit its head on the dashboard.

Thomas Bartlett, who represented himself in Southport Magistrates Court yesterday on charges of public nuisance and animal cruelty, was fined $500.

The court was told that in November last year Bartlett picked up his brother’s cattle dog puppy, Angus, by the scruff of the neck and threw him headfirst into the dashboard of a Commodore station wagon before the pup fell to the floor of the car.

Thomas Bartlett pictured with Angus the cattle dog puppy involved in the incident. Picture Mike Batterham

Prosecution witness Steven Middleton told the court he saw the incident from an 11th floor balcony of The Pacific Resort on Albert St.

Mr Middleton said the car was parked across the road from the resort and he saw the dog being thrown into the vehicle, hitting its head then body on the glove box before falling to the floor.

He said the dog let out a “terrified screaming puppy yelp” when he was picked up by the scruff by Bartlett.

Bartlett’s brother Charade Hepi told the court he bought the puppy from a friend who was dying of cancer.

He said it had been yelping constantly when he first got it, so much so he had allowed the dog to sleep in his bed.

Charade Hepi, brother of the Thomas Barlett and owner of Angus, outside the Magistrates Court. Photo: Regi Varghese

Qualified vet from the Animal Welfare League Sarah Kaye testified she had examined the dog and it showed no sign of injury.

“When I examined the dog I couldn’t find any physical abnormalities,” she said.

Magistrate Chris Callaghan said while there was no evidence the puppy had suffered any physical or psychological injury, he was convinced Bartlett’s actions would have caused the 12-week old dog to feel “unnecessary, unjustified pain”.

While Bartlett did not give evidence, he said in his closing statement he admitted to throwing the dog out of the car when his brother said it was going to the toilet in the back seat, but did not throw it into the car.

Thomas Barlett leaves the Southport Magistrates court after being convicted of animal cruelty for throwing a cattle dog puppy into a car. Photo: Regi Varghese

In his closing statement, Bartlett said the way he treated the dog on the day was a “mistake” and he was regretful for his actions.

“In my mind I didn’t intentionally hurt the dog — it was not something I usually do,” Bartlett said.

“I’m very disturbed with the way things happened.”

The father-of-four told the court he was an animal lover and that his “behaviour was unacceptable”.

“I just messed up that day ... And it has been a heavy burden for me to carry.”

Mr Callaghan said there was no evidence to indicate Bartlett had punched the dog or kicked it but he was convinced beyond reasonable doubt he had “picked it up and hurled it into the car”.

“That behaviour must be frowned upon by the court,” Mr Callaghan said and fined Bartlett $500 and recorded a conviction.

Outside court Bartlett said he was ready to put the incident behind him and was regretful for his actions.

Mr Hepi said he felt partly responsible for the incident because he told his brother to get the dog out of the car.