THEY CROW ABOUT PROSECUTING MARTIN LIGHTFOOT FOR HITTING HIS DOG WITH HIS CRUTCHES.
DOUBLE STANDARDS OR WHAT !
RSPCA INSP DUNDERDALE
A Shropshire man who beat his dog with crutches has been banned from keeping animals for 10 years.
Martin John Lightfoot, from Whitchurch, was also given a three-year conditional discharge, told to hand over his two dogs to the RSPCA and ordered to pay £1,000 compensation and costs after admitting the offences before Market Drayton magistrates at court yesterday.
Martin John Lightfoot, from Whitchurch, was also given a three-year conditional discharge, told to hand over his two dogs to the RSPCA and ordered to pay £1,000 compensation and costs after admitting the offences before Market Drayton magistrates at court yesterday.
Animal welfare officials have welcomed the outcome after spending £12,000 to bring the prosecution.
Their comments come almost a year after 36-year-old Lightfoot was seen beating his dog Poppy, a boxer crossbreed, on January 24 last year at Pepper Street, Whitchurch.
Their comments come almost a year after 36-year-old Lightfoot was seen beating his dog Poppy, a boxer crossbreed, on January 24 last year at Pepper Street, Whitchurch.
Speaking outside court, RSPCA inspector Nayman Dunderdale (pictured) said: “I’m pleased the magistrates took the case so seriously.
“We’re pleased with the 10-year ban on keeping animals and want to thank the witnesses who helped.”
“We’re pleased with the 10-year ban on keeping animals and want to thank the witnesses who helped.”
Lightfoot had been due to stand trial yesterday for causing unnecessary suffering to an animal, but he changed his plea to guilty.
His legal team argued that he was battling alcoholism and had not “seriously injured” Poppy in the incident.
Following the case Mr Dunderdale also hit out at Lightfoot for entering a guilty plea so late in the proceedings - allowing the charity’s costs to mount up.
“For us it’s not a question of the costs because we are prepared to take that on,” he said.
“If someone is cruel to animals it’s worth the cost to see them get a ban like this one.”
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