Dog owner repeatedly punches his pet in the face in sickening footage – as he is banned from keeping animals for two years
- WARNING: DISTRESSING CONTENT: A dog ‘lover’ punched his dog in the face
- A woman filmed Joseph Pocklington repeatedly punching his dog in Darlington
- Pocklington appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court on August 5
- He was given a 12-month community order after the December 22 incident
This is the sickening moment a pet owner who ‘lost his temper’ was filmed repeatedly punching his dog in the face and dragging the pet by his lead.
Joseph Pocklington, was spotted punching his dog by a woman in Darlington, County Durham, who confronted him and took the animal.
The witness, who was waiting to pick up her daughter, filmed the horrific abuse on her phone before calling the police.
Pocklington, of Marshall Street, Darlington, was banned from keeping animals for two years after admitting animal cruelty at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court on August 5.
In the footage, Pocklington is sitting down with his dog, which appears to be a black lurcher or greyhound, when he yanks his pet towards him by the lead.
Joseph Pocklington has been banned from keeping animals for two years after he was filmed repeatedly punching his dog in the face in Darlington, County Durham
The 29-year-old then repeatedly punch his dog in the face, as the animal has his tail in-between his legs and tries to pull away from his owner.
The ‘dog lover’ then grabs the hound, moving his pet to sit back down on the steps beside him.
Police later found Pocklington asleep in a nearby church yard, after the witness and her daughter reported the incident.
Alan Davies, prosecuting, said: ‘He was arrested and told police “yeah, I did give my dog a few slaps.”
‘He was then shown footage from the incident and became upset, saying he could not remember assaulting the dog and could only remember getting angry because the dog was trying to run into the traffic.’
Stephen Andrews, mitigating, said his client’s behaviour was out of character and was very upset after watching footage of the incident, which took place on December 22.
Police later found Pocklington asleep in a nearby church yard, after the witness and her daughter reported the incident, which took place on December 22
Pocklington (above) appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court on August 5 and pleaded guilty to one count of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal
He said: ‘You have a gentleman here who would describe himself as a dog lover. He has kept dogs for many years without any issues whatsoever, he looked after them and he protected them.’
Mr Andrews said that Pocklington has ‘over a period of time’ abused alcohol and has ‘essentially’ become alcohol dependent.
He added: ‘He has no recollection of the incident, but he tells me he can remember his feet becoming tangled with the dog lead and becoming angry.’
When appearing at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court, Pocklington pleaded guilty to one count of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.
He was also given a 12-month community order and was banned from keeping animals for two years.
Pocklington must also pay £95 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.