CAMERON BRUNNING FROM GATESHEAD SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC ANIMAL ABUSE IN BENSHAM

Cameron Brunning, a resident of St Cuthbert’s Court in Bensham, Gateshead, has been convicted of severe animal cruelty after a series of disturbing incidents involving his two-year-old Old Tyme bulldog named Biscuit. Born around 2002, Brunning admitted to inflicting both physical and psychological harm on the defenseless dog, leading to his prosecution under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

Brunning's heinous actions came to light after the RSPCA, the leading animal welfare organization, initiated an investigation following the discovery of multiple CCTV recordings. These recordings, captured over nearly a month between September and October 2023, showed Brunning repeatedly attacking Biscuit in his flat. The footage revealed a pattern of relentless violence, including kicks, punches, and aggressive handling that left the dog visibly terrified and distressed.

In the videos, Brunning is seen kicking Biscuit and stamping on her head and legs with force. At one point, he is recorded holding her by the throat against a mirror in the lift, lifting her approximately three feet off the ground before dropping her to the floor. His body language in these clips was described as aggressive, with him standing right in the dog’s face and pointing at her, further emphasizing the threatening nature of his conduct. Other footage shows him cornering Biscuit inside the lift, where she cowers and attempts to retreat, clearly showing her fear and helplessness. The dog appeared to be passive and not provoking the attacks, which were entirely unprovoked and gratuitous.

Following the discovery of the footage, authorities, including the RSPCA inspector Keogh-Laws and two police officers, visited Brunning’s flat on October 11, 2023. During the visit, the inspector identified Brunning from the CCTV footage. Biscuit was seized from the premises and taken into the care of the RSPCA. During questioning, Brunning reportedly told officers that he believed he needed to 'teach the dog how to behave,' a statement that underscores the severity of his neglect and abuse.

Veterinary examinations of Biscuit revealed that she had endured suffering for at least four weeks. Although she was found to be clinically healthy, minor issues with her eyes and ears were noted, and blood tests indicated elevated enzyme levels, which could be associated with muscle trauma. The veterinarian highlighted that Biscuit’s demeanor—shying away from touch—along with the CCTV evidence and blood test results, pointed to ongoing physical abuse and significant mental distress. Despite the absence of obvious clinical signs of injury, the emotional and psychological toll on the dog was deemed substantial.

In court, Brunning admitted to the charges of causing physical and mental harm to Biscuit, as well as neglecting her basic needs. The court sentenced him to a 12-month community order, which includes 20 days of rehabilitation activities. Additionally, he was ordered to pay court costs of £200 and a victim surcharge of £114. A five-year ban on owning animals was imposed, which will remain in effect until July 2029.

Inspector Keogh-Laws expressed her outrage at the case, emphasizing that Biscuit’s suffering was prolonged and only uncovered due to the vigilance of the building’s concierge, who was reviewing CCTV footage to identify unauthorized access. She praised the RSPCA’s efforts in caring for Biscuit, who has since been placed at the RSPCA Felledge Animal Centre. The organization now aims to find Biscuit a loving and caring new home, ensuring she can recover from her traumatic experiences and live a safe, happy life.