A man from Bradford who repeatedly kicked a West Yorkshire Police dog while being detained has been jailed.

James Strain, 38, of Holme Bank Close, Bradford, was charged with causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal following an incident in Bingley Town centre on November 28, 2025.

Strain was being aggressive and making threats outside a shop on Chapel Lane when PD Zero and her handler PC Roxy Cramp were deployed to the scene.

PC Cramp was kicked and spat at while trying to handcuff Strain, who struggled and tried to trip her with his leg. The decision to deploy Zero was made and the dog took several kicks to the head and chest while helping to detain the man.

PD Zero took kicks to the head and chest during the incident. | West Yorkshire Police

placeholder image — PD Zero took kicks to the head and chest during the incident. | West Yorkshire Police

Strain appeared at Leeds Magistrates Court on Monday (January 19), where he was found guilty of assault with intent to resist arrest and causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal. He was sentenced to 10 weeks in prison.

He was convicted under Finn’s Law, a piece of legislation named after Hertfordshire Police dog Finn. It came into effect in 2019 and prevents those who attack or injure service animals from claiming self-defence.

Chief Inspector James Farrar, head of West Yorkshire Police’s dog unit, said: “This was a sustained attack which saw an officer and a police dog kicked and spat at whilst carrying out their duties. This is completely unacceptable and it is right that the offender is now behind bars.

"We take the welfare of our working animals extremely seriously and, as with our officers, none of them deserve to be assaulted in the line of duty.

"Thankfully PD Zero wasn’t seriously injured and continues to help keep communities safe with her unwavering loyalty and bravery.”