ANTHONY BRUCE FROM NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE SENTENCED FOR CRUELTY TO DOGS IN HAZLERIGG

Anthony Bruce, born on September 15, 1996, and most recently residing on Heddon Avenue in Hazlerigg, Newcastle upon Tyne, has been convicted of heinous animal cruelty offenses. The case revealed disturbing details about his treatment of a young Old English sheepdog puppy named Benji, which ultimately led to the animal's death.

Bruce, who also goes by the aliases Warren Michael Bell, Elliot William Gleave, and Lucas Gleave, originally hails from Billingham in County Durham. His recent residence in Newcastle upon Tyne did not prevent him from committing acts of severe cruelty against Benji. The motivation behind his abuse was reportedly linked to jealousy and resentment towards the attention the puppy received from his girlfriend, Lauren Brattle.

According to court records and testimony presented by the RSPCA prosecutor Denise Jackman, Bruce subjected Benji to a series of brutal acts. The puppy was forcibly submerged in water, an act that caused significant suffering. The prosecution detailed that Bruce had allowed the dog to eat toilet paper, which was part of a pattern of neglect and abuse. The RSPCA had been alerted to concerns about Benji and another dog in the household by a social worker, who had observed signs of mistreatment.

It was further revealed that Benji had died on April 26, 2015, while undergoing surgery to remove toilet tissue from his stomach. The puppy had previously suffered injuries, including a bite to the ear inflicted by another dog in the household, which caused bleeding. Bruce attempted to clean the wound by bathing Benji, but then went further by submerging the puppy’s head in water until he lost consciousness. Although Benji initially survived this ordeal, he succumbed to his injuries later.

During the court proceedings, Bruce admitted to the acts, expressing remorse and acknowledging that he had gone too far. He also confessed to encouraging Benji to eat toilet paper on three separate occasions, fully aware that the material was indigestible and harmful. The court heard that Bruce was aware of the risks involved but continued the behavior, which was described as unnecessary and avoidable suffering.

Benji was approximately five months old at the time of his death. It was noted that he had previously undergone surgery to remove paper from his stomach, indicating ongoing issues related to his treatment. The prosecution highlighted that Bruce’s actions were driven by jealousy, as he claimed his partner, Lauren Brattle, paid more attention to Benji than to him. During the incident where Bruce held Benji’s head underwater, he stated he was motivated by jealousy of his partner’s contact with the dog.

Ms. Jackman emphasized the cruelty involved, stating, “Mr Bruce said his partner gave Benji more attention than she gave him. When he was giving him a bath, he became agitated and held the dog’s head under the water until he was unconscious. He said he was jealous of his partner’s contact with the dog. He also allowed Benji to eat a large quantity of unpalatable dry tissue under coercion. Mr Bruce was well aware of the consequences of such coercion. This suffering was unnecessary and avoidable.”

As of September 2018, Bruce remained in a relationship with Lauren Brattle, who was also involved in the case. The couple had gone on to have children, despite her previous involvement in Facebook raffle scams, as reported by the BBC in September 2017.

In sentencing, Anthony Bruce received a sentence of 16 weeks in a young offenders’ institute. Additionally, he was banned from owning animals for life, a measure intended to prevent any future cruelty. The case has garnered significant attention in Newcastle upon Tyne and highlights ongoing concerns about animal welfare and cruelty in the region.