DANIEL STASIK SENTENCED IN WELWYN HATFIELD FOR DOG ATTACK AND ANIMAL CRUELTY

Daniel Stasik, born circa 1988 and residing in Walker Grove, Hatfield AL10 9PL, was convicted in 2019 for possessing a banned fighting dog and causing unnecessary suffering to a pet cat. The incident involved his pitbull-type dog attacking a cat named Shelly, who suffered horrific injuries and later died.

On June 23, 2018, at around 11am, Stasik’s dog chased Shelly into an alleyway on Walker Grove and attacked her. Though Stasik attempted to control the dog, he was unable to prevent the attack or assist Shelly afterward.

At approximately 1am the following morning, Shelly was found by her owner in a nearby garden, covered in blood and faeces, unable to stand on her hind legs. Due to the delay in discovery, maggots had begun to develop around her wounds.

Over the next few days, her condition worsened despite multiple treatments and resuscitation efforts. Shelly tragically died from her injuries on July 1, 2018.

On July 20, 2018, forces from the Welwyn Hatfield Safer Neighbourhood Team and the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Dog Unit executed a warrant at Stasik’s address. The seized dog, examined by authorities, was confirmed to be largely a pitbull-type breed.

Stasik faced court charges for owning a fighting dog under Section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act and for causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal under Section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act. He pleaded guilty to the possession of a fighting dog and was subsequently convicted of causing Shelly’s death, after initially denying responsibility.

PC Gavin Richardson of the Welwyn Hatfield West Safer Neighbourhood Team commented: “Pit bulls are banned in the UK and Stasik’s dog posed a very serious danger to public safety. Not only did he possess a banned breed, but he also made no effort to help Shelly, leaving her to die. Her owners were understandably distressed, finding their beloved pet with severe injuries.”

Stasik was sentenced to 240 hours of unpaid community service, ordered to pay compensation to Shelly’s owners for veterinary expenses and police kenneling costs, and banned from possessing a dog for 10 years. His dog was ordered to be euthanized unless an appeal is filed within 21 days.

Additional context reveals that Stasik is originally from Poland, arrived in the UK in 2009 to work as a painter and decorator, and is now on benefits. Court proceedings showed he displayed no remorse, and he and his friend appeared to find the case amusing. He openly admitted to beating his dog during court. Interestingly, another cat belonging to Shelly’s owner died shortly after Stasik’s charges, reportedly from deliberate poisoning — a coincidence that remains unconfirmed.

He also has an alternate address listed in Prayle Grove, London NW2 1BD.