Video: Neighbours film man beating dog with a plank

Jason Barry Appleby, 38, admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a female Dogue de Bordeaux called Bonnie by subjecting her to unnecessary physical violence and fear and distress.

Neighbours saw him attempting to beat the dog on two occasions. On one occasion he was filmed using a piece of wood.

RSPCA inspector Claire Mitchell said: “Watching the footage was extremely shocking, even for me as an RSPCA inspector. It shows Appleby chasing the dog around with a piece of wood, attempting to hit her. The dog is clearly utterly terrified.

“The dog runs into a children’s playhouse to try to get away from him but he continues his assault and actually propels the playhouse into the air such are his efforts to hurt her.”

Hull Magistrates heard Appleby’s first response to the RSPCA and police’s arrival was that he should have killed the dog with a hammer but, in mitigation, Appleby, of Hollym Road, Withernsea maintained it was never his intent to cause harm to the dog.

The court heard the dog had grabbed a dirty nappy and began to shake around the kitchen and that the actions were Appleby’s attempt to punish it.

RSPCA inspector Mitchell said: “There can be no excuse for the violence heaped on this dog. Anyone who thinks that this kind of behaviour helps to teach a dog anything positive should not own an animal and I am very pleased that Appleby won’t be allowed to keep animals in future.”

Bonnie has been given by the RSPCA to new owners.