#MostEvil | Craig Anthony Dolling, born 21/04/1993, of Briseham Road, Brixham, Torbay TQ5 9NS – subjected his pet dog to a savage beating, causing him to lose a leg Rocco, a young Staffordshire bull terrier, suffered a catalogue of horrific injuries at the hands of his owner Craig Dolling. The pet was left bloodied with cuts, a broken leg, fractured ribs, cheek bone and skull. Dolling and his girlfriend, Natasha Hilson, 25, then let the animal suffer by not taking him to a vet. When asked to explain the injuries Dolling told his partner: “I just went mad on him earlier. You know what I get.” The RSPCA said Dolling’s behaviour was ‘tantamount to torture’. Father-of-one Dolling, who has previous convictions for violence, admitted two charges of causing unnecessary suffering to Rocco when he appeared in court. Lindi Meyer, prosecuting, said the defendant lived with Rocco and his partner Hilson. Both accepted responsibility for the pet. The RSPCA and police went to the house on September 2, 2019, after reports of an injured dog. Initially the pair did not answer but Hilson let them in just as police were about to force entry. The dog had obvious leg and head injuries, said the prosecutor. Hilson said Rocco had hurt his leg trying to get over a gate almost a month before. She confirmed he had not seen a vet. “There was a strong smell of ammonia and faeces on the floor,” added Ms Meyer. A police officer said the injured state of the dog was ‘heartbreaking’ and he had never seen such a badly injured animal before. Rocco had multiple cuts, dislocated femur, swelling, two large head wounds that were so severe vets were unable to examine his right eye, a fractured tooth, cheek, three fractured ribs, and a fracture to the right hock which was several weeks old and so severe the leg had to be amputated. There were stains on the carpets which Hilson said Rocco had left after he injured his head trying to escape from his cage. Dolling said the injury to Rocco’s leg happened about one and a half months before when he tried to jump over a door. Both denied mistreating him and Dolling said he didn’t take him for treatment because he thought the vet might think he had beaten him. He couldn’t explain the fracture to the dog’s eye and denied beating him. He said he thought the animal would die without vet attention. Texts between the two revealed more of what really happened to the dog. Hilson demanded to know what had happened to Rocco’s face. Dolling replied: “I just went mad on him earlier. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it. I’m f****d.” Hilson said the dog was ‘only a baby’ and hadn’t done anything to deserve such treatment. Dolling answered: “You know what I get. I get what you’re saying. I’m sorry, I’m a nasty c**t.” Hilson said there was a history of domestic violence in the relationship. Dolling now accepted responsibility for what he had done. Nobody was present at the time Dolling injured the dog and the court was not told what triggered his violence. A vet found the injuries had been sustained by blunt force trauma on at least two occasions. They would have caused considerable pain for Rocco for at least six weeks. The skull fracture was caused by being struck with a ‘heavy linear object’ not consistent with Dolling’s explanation about the door. Injuries to the ribs were caused by kicks, stamps, or throwing against an object, said the vet. Ms Meyer said Dolling’s actions had been ‘deliberate, gratuitous and caused suffering and pain on a number of occasions’. There had been prolonged neglect over months and no vet treatment despite both being aware of the injuries. Rocco with his sister Lyla The court was played a video of Rocco in the care of the RSPCA, running and chasing a ball. “He’s doing really well,” after learning to walk again, said the prosecutor. Hilson has yet to sign him over to the RSPCA’s care and has stated she wants him back. Ben Darby, defending, said Dolling accepted full responsibility for the injuries and was ‘tearful’ and sorry for what he had done. He wanted help for his anger management issues and was motivated to change. “These are pretty horrendous offences,” said Mr Darby. But he said Dolling had held his hands up and admitted his crime, even though nobody saw him cause the injuries and for that he should be given credit. Hilson, who did not cause injuries to Rocco, admits a lesser charge under the Animal Welfare Act. She will be sentenced at a later date. Sentencing: suspended four-month jail sentence. He was told to do up to 10 days anger management with probation and 60 hours of unpaid work. He was banned from keeping all animals for life but can appeal after just five years. DevonLive Update March 2020: Natasha Rose Hilson, born 10/08/1994, also of Briseham Road, Brixham, Torbay TQ5 9NS, was sentenced for failing to seek veterinary care for Rocco while he was suffering from his injuries. Natasha ‘Tasha’ Hilson and Craig Dolling who both faced charges in relation to the cruelty and neglect of Rocco She must carry out 10 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days and 240 hours’ unpaid work. She was also disqualified from owning any animal for 15 years, with no application to lift this for five years, and must pay £200 costs. ITV News