CRAIG PAUL PRECIOUS FROM KINGSTON UPON HULL INVOLVED IN DOG ATTACK ON CATS IN HULL NEIGHBORHOOD

Craig Paul Precious, a resident of Ellerby Grove in Kingston upon Hull, was convicted in 2018 for allowing his lurcher dog to attack and kill a cat. The incident took place in a residential area within Hull, where Precious’s neglect led to the tragic death of a black and white feline.

According to reports, Precious has a known history of engaging in activities such as lamping, a practice involving the hunting of nocturnal animals, which suggests a pattern of behavior concerning animal control and treatment. On the day of the attack, his grey lurcher was left unleashed in a garden where two cats were peacefully sitting. CCTV footage captured the moment the dog ran into the garden from the street and launched an unprovoked attack on one of the cats. While one of the cats managed to escape unharmed, the other, a black and white cat, sustained injuries so severe that she ultimately succumbed to her wounds.

Further investigation revealed that the dog was not on a lead at the time of the attack. CCTV footage showed that even after witnessing the attack, Precious chose not to restrain his dog. Instead, he approached the scene with another lurcher on a lead, examined the damage, and then left the garden. Disturbingly, the grey lurcher continued to run freely in and out of neighboring gardens, indicating a lack of proper control and supervision.

During court proceedings, Precious admitted to failing to control his dog during the attack. RSPCA inspector Laura Barber reviewed the CCTV footage and provided a detailed account of the incident, emphasizing the negligence involved. She stated, “Two cats can be seen in the CCTV footage sitting in a garden. A grey lurcher runs into view from the street and into the garden and attacks one of the cats. Fortunately, the other one gets away. Precious comes into view with another lurcher on a lead and he goes into the garden to take a look at what’s happened. After a few moments, he leaves the garden and walks away. Even after the incident, the grey lurcher isn’t put on a lead and continues to run in and out of people’s gardens.”

It was also revealed during the court hearing that a similar incident involving the same dog had occurred previously. However, Precious denied any wrongdoing, claiming that the incident was accidental and expressed remorse by offering an apology.

As part of his sentencing, Precious received a 12-month community order, which includes 100 hours of unpaid work. Additionally, he was ordered to pay £385 in costs and charges. Importantly, he was banned from keeping dogs for a period of five years, with the ban set to expire in September 2023. This case highlights ongoing concerns about animal welfare and the responsibilities of pet owners in Kingston upon Hull.