A dog walker filmed smashing a cockapoo against a wall has been spared jail. Doorbell camera footage showed Luke Cobb slamming the dog against a wall at a home in Moulsecoomb, Brighton , in a fit of rage. Magistrates in Brighton described the incident as a sadistic attack on a defenceless animal.
Despite his pleas to the court, the 38-year-old was told he will have to find a home for his own two pets after he was banned from keeping dogs for a year. Cobb admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal. Prosecutor Megan Attree said police received reports on November 13 last year after video of the attack on three-and-a-half-year-old cockapoo Stanley went viral.
"The dog can be seen looking scared, walking away from him,” Ms Attree said. "He picks it up by the neck and smashes its head against the wall. Animal expert Jeremy Stattersfield provided a report for the RSPCA which said the incident would have caused pain, fear and unnecessary suffering to Stan.
"It would have caused the dog not only injury but fear of injury," he said. Cobb claimed he slammed the dog against the wall after it tried to bite him. Ms Attree said Cobb's account was substantially different from what could be seen on the video.
"There is no bite," she said. "The Crown submits it was a sadistic attack on a defenceless animal who was not out of control. "There was no reason for it whatsoever.
"There was significant force. "Twice bashing the head against the wall." Dog owners are entitled to e.
